Trip limits to protect Akaroa Hector’s dolphins

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  24 September 2025

Banks Peninsula and Akaroa Harbour are a stronghold for the threatened Hector’s dolphin, which is mostly found around the coast of the South Island. The sheltered harbour is ideal to see the dolphins, especially over the summer months when they visit in greater numbers to feed and rear their young.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has set new limits across the six permitted dolphin watch and swim operators, based on the latest research, to prevent adverse impacts on dolphin behaviour and support a thriving dolphin population.

DOC Operations Manager Andy Thompson says the limits do not significantly affect operators’ recent activity levels and will allow for some growth.

“The limits allow up to 20 trips per day across all operators over the busiest summer months and no more than 12 trips per day for six months of the year.

“This provides room for operators to increase activity to levels just below pre-Covid peaks. For example, in 2019/2020 there were only 10-15 days during peak season where operators collectively exceeded the new 20-trip limit.”

The limits were informed by new research carried out over the past few years using an underwater acoustic device to monitor dolphin activity alongside vessel movements at a dolphin hotspot and popular viewing area in the harbour. This provides evidence that vessel activity can start to displace the dolphins from the key viewing area when there are more than 12 trips per day. This effect becomes greater when daily trips increase beyond 20.

“We need to protect the dolphins from too much disturbance so they can forage and rest, and to avoid pushing them further out of the harbour. A healthy dolphin population will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the local dolphin watching industry and cultural and environmental values of Akaroa Harbour,” says Andy.

“DOC thanks the dolphin operators and Ōnuku Rūnanga for their feedback during the permit review process, which helped inform the changes.

“Hector’s dolphins are one of the world’s smallest dolphins and found only in New Zealand. They are a special part of Akaroa and people feel a strong connection to them. We want to keep working with local people and harbour users to find solutions that work for everyone and ensure the wellbeing of the dolphins.”

Recreational boats in Akaroa Harbour may also be affecting the dolphins on busy summer days. DOC is looking into the feasibility of speed restriction zones focussed on Akaroa Marine Reserve.

Boat users can do their bit for nature when naturing out on the water and have an enjoyable and safe encounter with dolphins by following the rules. These include slowing to an idle or ‘no wake’ speed (less than 10 knots) within 300 metres of dolphins and approaching from a direction that is parallel or to the rear of dolphins.

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