For immediate release: 24 May 2012

9 out of 10 of New Zealanders want action to protect Maui's dolphins

Global campaign organisation Avaaz today released the results of a national poll showing 95 percent think that protecting the Maui's dolphins is important for New Zealand's international reputation as a "100% Pure" tourism destination. This poll comes as the Minister for Primary Industries is set to hand down a decision on interim measures to protect the Maui’s dolphins habitat from human induced threats.

The poll, carried out by Lonergan Research, shows that the public wants the government to act now. 93 percent of New Zealanders believe that the government should ban set net fishing in the Maui's dolphin habitat, and 92 percent also want a marine protected area to save the dolphins from the threats posed by mining.

There are an estimated 55 Maui's dolphins left in the world. A significant number of Maui's dolphins have died as a result of set nets, and seabed mining and seismic testing are also a danger to Maui's dolphins.

“The message to John Key is loud and clear: saving the Maui's dolphin is key to New Zealand’s national identity and image, as well as to retaining crucial tourist dollars,” said Avaaz campaign director, Alex Wilks.

The representative national poll of over 1000 respondents was taken on Saturday and Sunday (19-20 May 2012) by Lonergan Research. On 2 May, Avaaz's petition of 49,000 signatures calling on John Key to save the Maui's dolphin was delivered and tabled in Parliament.

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