Common dolphins are found in offshore warm-temperate waters in the Atlantic and Pacific and are considered the most numerous dolphin species within this range. Within New Zealand, common dolphins are most commonly found a few kilometres from the coast in the Hauraki Gulf and off Northland. Common dolphins can form large schools of several thousand individuals.

Common dolphins are considered ‘Not threatened’ by the Department of Conservation and as ‘Lower risk by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There are no estimates for population size in New Zealand, though they are thought to be abundant.


Common dolphins feed on a variety of prey including surface school fish and small mid-water fish and squid. They can dive to depths of 280 metres for up to 8 minutes, though most dives are only around 2 minutes long. Common dolphins hunt cooperatively within schools.

Common dolphins have been caught in trawl fisheries in New Zealand.

International Union for Conservation of nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red list

New Zealand Threat Classification System list