NZ on Brink of Losing Maui's Dolphins to Extinction

Click to enlarge 1,000 origami dolphins at Te Papa.

Click to enlarge Students from Raglan helped make the origami figures.

Click to enlarge

More than one thousand delicately folded papers hang on the far wall of the Nature Space Discovery Centre at Te Papa, half a dozen Raglan students stand by, poised and quiet, seemingly in full comprehension of the seriousness of the message they have worked to convey. Raglan students combined efforts to fold 1,111 origami dolphins, in hopes that their wish of stabilising the diminished population of Maui's dolphins -- now dangerously low at 111 -- will be granted. The production of 1000 paper dolphins complies with the Japanese legend which states that making 1000 origami figures will fulfil a wish. The additional 111 dolphins represent the number of Maui’s dolphins in existence today.

"We want to raise awareness," asserts Whirinaki Maniapoto-Waitere, head boy of Raglan Area School, who spoke on behalf of his school and community at the event. When asked what has brought the Maui's dolphins to the brink of extinction he replies sombrely, "Commercial and recreational factors, but also carelessness."

Commercial set nets as well as recreational trawl and gill nets cast off the west coast of the North Island have trapped countless Maui's since the 1970s. The increase in sea pollution and boating accidents have also contributed to the diminished number of dolphins presumed to exist today.

"I am almost positive there are even less than that today," says Anton van Helden, Te Papa's resident marine mammal scientist, as he gestures to the 111 origami dolphins. Van Helden has seen the demise of the Maui's first hand, going out to where the animals have been netted or beached with mortal injuries. New Zealanders, van Helden states, would be "appalled" upon discovering the ongoing destruction that has diminished the native sea mammal's population. "They're our treasure, and we need to be responsible." Though other countries in the Asia-Pacific region have been chided for their lack of conservationist efforts, New Zealand would be the first nation to lose a native marine mammal to extinction were the Maui's dolphins to die out. Van Helden is resolute in his reasoning, "We need to watch over our own patch."

Van Helden lead students from Raglan communities in making the 1,111 origami dolphins which were presented in the Nature Space Discovery Centre this morning.

Jim Anderton, Member of Parliament and previous Minister of Fisheries addressed the students, teachers, parents, and WWF representatives present at the event: "We must ensure that future generations will enjoy the same resources as we have." Anderton emphasised the importance and effectiveness of "just one person" in the realm of conservation and raising environmental awareness.

"Love You", "Save Us" and "No More Set Nets" are just some of the messages written in pencil and crayon on the hundreds of paper dolphins hanging in the Discovery Centre. Anderton looked to the students, "The hope for our future is you."

For more information about Maui's dolphin and what can be done to aid in their conservation visit the following link to the WWF website : http://www.wwf.org.nz/take_action/campaigns_appeals/hector_s_and_maui_s_campaign_/

For more information about the role of the Ministry of Fisheries in the conservation effort visit the following website : http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/default.htm

ENDS

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