The Lawsuit Against the US Government to Protect Endangered Dolphins w/ Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders’ Christine Rose: 15 Jan, 2026

Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders, a small New Zealand charity, has launched another court case against the United States government at the Court of International Trade.

The organisation already won a case at the Court last year against the US government’s decision to allow fish imports from set net and trawl fisheries on the west coast of New Zealand.

Maui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders are now challenging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s latest comparability report based on fish still being caught in both Māui and Hector’s dolphin habitats. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Christine Rose, founder and chairperson of the Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders, about the case.