3.2 Cetaceans, seals, and seabirds

Print this page

Click on a section of the map to dive under the sea and discover what lies beneath New Zealand's waters

Key areas for cetacean, seal, and seabird biodiversity in the New Zealand marine ecoregion

Kermadec Islands West coast basin Three Kings Islands West coast of North island West coast of North island Hauraki/northeast coast of North Island Coastal shelf and edge of the southeast coast and East Cape of the North Island Trench zone North coast of South Island West coast of South island Northeast South Island Northeast South Island Otago/Catlins Shelf Otago/Catlins Shelf South Island southern and eastern shelf edge South Island southern and eastern shelf edge South Island southern and eastern shelf edge South Island southern and eastern shelf edge Stewart Island Chatham Islands Chatham Rise Subantarctic Islands (and continental shelf areas to 500m depth) Subantarctic Islands (and continental shelf areas to 500m depth) Subantarctic Islands (and continental shelf areas to 500m depth) Subantarctic Islands (and continental shelf areas to 500m depth)

New Zealand’s extensive coastline and inshore and offshore islands provide key habitats for seabirds and marine mammals. Three quarters of the world’s albatross, penguin, and petrel species and half of shearwater and shag species occur here, as well as a number of other groups. The erect-crested (Eudyptes sclateri) and yellow-eyed (Megadyptes antipodes) penguins are among the eight endemic penguins of New Zealand. Nine species of endemic albatross are also found here. There are 16 endemic petrels, shearwaters, and storm petrels. Almost half of the world’s cetaceans occur in New Zealand seas (Daniel and Baker 1986). The fauna includes the endemic Hector’s dolphin (Cephalorynchus hectori)3and New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri).

Workshop participants specialising in seabirds and marine mammals delineated 16 areas in New Zealand’s marine environment that are known to be key locations for cetaceans, seals, and seabirds.

Contributors: Alan Baker, Mike Imber, Peter Moore, Chris Robertson, Anton van Helden, and Ian Wilkinson.

3 Hector’s dolphin is represented by two distinct subspecies. The populations of the South Island are known as Hector’s dolphins (Cephalorhychus hectori hectorii) and the North Island population is known as Maui’s dolphin, (C. hectori maui), which number around 100 individuals.