14069 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister of Conservation

14069 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister of Conservation: Will the Minister review the scientific validity of biopsy sampling considering concerns raised by marine experts that it is an outdated method?

Hon Tama Potaka: I understand from the Department of Conservation that there is disagreement in the marine mammal science community around which methods are most suitable for studying Hector’s dolphins. Biopsy sampling is however a well-accepted tool in the international and New Zealand scientific community. The Standard Operating Procedure used by the Department of Conservation to manage biopsy sampling from dolphins has been reviewed and approved by the Animal Ethics Committee.