Maui's Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) was only recently identified as a separate sub-species of the Hector's Dolphin. Both dolphins are the smallest cetaceans in the world at the most 1.7 metres long. Both are rare and the Maui's are critically endangered, numbering less than 110 individuals.

Maui's dolphin are seen in inshore waters on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand, ranging from north of Dargaville to south of New Plymouth. This region of the coast has been made into a sanctuary to protect them, with bans on set netting in much of this area. The lost of one animal is a blow to the sub-species as a whole and set nets, collisions with boats and pollution are their biggest enemies.

They like to bow surf, play with seaweed and bubbles and jump from the water. These jumps tend to retrograde, the dolphin often entering the water at a point behind their exit. They are often seen in threes. I have never seen one.

I drew this a long time ago, in fact before they decided that Maui's and Hector's dolphins were separate sub-species. But finally got around to finishing it with the idea in mind to put it onto a t-shirt. The background is crap and I don't know what to do with it.
I don't usually go on about dolphins and generally think that they are overrated, but I make an exception with Maui's and Hector's.

Photoshop