A dolphin found washed up on a Taranaki beach late last month wasn't an endangered Maui's dolphin, preliminary DNA test results have determined.
The discovery of the dolphin, thought now to be a Hector's dolphin, triggered calls for the government to do more to save Maui's dolphins as there are thought to be only 55 left in existence.
The test results released by the University of Auckland show the dolphin had DNA characteristics more consistent with Hector's dolphin, rather than Maui's dolphin, the Department of Conservation (DOC) says.
Earlier tests showed the dolphin, an adult male, died of natural causes.
It was in poor body condition with a combination of health problems that likely contributed to its death.
DOC says there were no signs that the dolphin died in fishing nets or by any other human interaction.
Further DNA tests are under way to confirm which sub-species the dolphin was, but these results will not be known for several weeks.
NZN