14059 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister of Conservation

14059 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister of Conservation: What specific research questions is the current biopsy sampling project on Otago’s Hector’s dolphins trying to answer?

Hon Tama Potaka: The Department of Conservation (DOC) advises me that the biopsy sampling aims to gain an understanding of gene flow – or genetic connection - between the animals in the Otago region and nearby populations. This will in turn help DOC to understand how best to manage these populations. Hector’s dolphins are managed under the Hector’s and Māui Dolphin Threat Management Plan for four distinct sub-populations. Under the east coast South Island sub-population, the Otago Hector’s dolphins are managed as a local population. Until recently, DOC have had limited genetic information for Hector’s dolphins within the southeast South Island, which means it does not know whether these dolphins represent a closed population or if there is gene flow connecting this area to the wider east or south coast South Island populations. Abundance estimates for Hector’s dolphin in the Otago region indicate a population of about 40 animals with no change in numbers since 2011. With such small numbers it is important to ensure management measures align with the goals and objectives of the Hector’s and Māui Dolphin Threat Management Plan. Understanding the genetic relationships and connectivity of adjacent Hector’s dolphin populations will help DOC understand the overlap of these populations with threats that may impact them.