Greenpeace New Zealand Weblog

Commercial set netting and trawling in shallow waters is threatening Hector and Maui dolphins. Maui numbers have dropped as low as 100 on the North Island.

New Zealand’s Hector and Maui dolphins – the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world - are critically endangered.

In order to help protect the dolphins, zoologist Gemma McGrath founded Music 4 Maui’s in October 2007. The project fuses NZ music with marine conservation, and aims to both raise awareness of the dolphin’s plight, as well as raise funds to help them.

Gemma convinced a selection of talented kiwi musicians to donate songs for the dolphins, building up the Music 4 Maui’s album. The first compilation titled ’Songs to save a species’ was released on June 16th and includes artists such as Minuit, The Black Seeds, Sola Rosa and Ariana Tikao. Music reaches people and talks to their spirit, so these songs about the ocean and the dolphins, the fishing industry and extinction are good means to promote positive changes. Read more »

Today we cast off the mooring lines and set sail for Gisborne. As we left port, the non sea-faring section of the Auckland Greenpeace office lined the wharf to wave us off. The 13-month old son of the ship’s bosun was even dressed for the occasion with a little t-shirt bearing the words “good bye”. There were hugs and farewell words whispered. As we cast off, everyone cheered and laughed. Spirits were high. I can’t say mine stayed that way for long. In fact I have little to report of the transit so far. I began to feel queasy while we were still in the Hauraki Gulf (fortunately I had already had my safety briefing, so I knew, among other things, that if I was pregnant I should not be on the ship, and that in the event of an emergency I was to save myself before even thinking of others). Through necessity I took to my bunk for a few hours and have only just surfaced. Read more »