New Zealand boasts a rich and diverse marine environment, home to various unique species. From the endemic Hector's dolphin and New Zealand sea lion to myriad fish and seaweed, the country's marine life is a treasure trove of biodiversity.
New Zealand's waters are full of rare and magnificent creatures. New Zealand has twenty-nine marine reserves spread around the North Island, South Island, and other neighbouring islands, and another two on outlying island groups.
Our marine reserves protect 0.3% of our total marine environment, or just 7% of New Zealand's coastal waters, known as our territorial sea. Our two largest marine reserves are on offshore islands (Auckland and Kermadec Islands), accounting for 97% of our protected sea area. New Zealand's marine reserves are the highest level of marine protection. They are designed to preserve specific marine habitats and life and provide a reference for scientists to study untouched ecosystems. These "no-take" areas, established under the Marine Reserves Act 1971, prohibit fishing and the removal of marine resources while allowing activities like swimming, diving, and kayaking.
The Hector's Dolphin (the world's smallest marine dolphin) is much smaller than other dolphins in New Zealand waters. An adult Hector's dolphin grows to 1.2 to 1.4 metres. Also, the Hector is a little rounder than other New Zealand dolphins.
The New Zealand fur seal is found in Western Australia, South Australia and New Zealand. In Tasmanian waters, it mainly occurs on the western and southern coasts. Only a few New Zealand fur seals breed on remote islands off the south coast. About 100 pups are born annually. Similar to the Australian fur seal, not all pups will survive. Australia-wide, the population is estimated to be 58,000.
Hooker's sea lions, also known as New Zealand sea lions, are one of only five species of sea lions worldwide. Hooker's sea lions are one of the most regionally localised and rare of the world's seal species. They breed almost exclusively at the Auckland Islands in the New Zealand subantarctic region. A few sea lions also breed on New Zealand's Campbell Island. The total population is estimated to be only about 12,500 animals.
The Royal Albatross Colony at Taiaroa Head, on the tip of the Otago Peninsula, New Zealand, is the only mainland breeding colony for albatross species in the southern hemisphere. The first Taiaroa-reared albatross chick flew in 1938, and this now-protected nature reserve has grown into an established territory with a population of around 140 birds.
The yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) is only found in New Zealand and is one of the rarest of our penguins. It lives and breeds around the southeast coast of the South Island, on Stewart Island, and in the sub-antarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands. The Maoris know them as Hoiho.
The Paua shellfish is only found in the seas around New Zealand and has the most colourful abalone shells. Many consider Paua a delicacy, and the shell is traditionally used in carving and artwork.
