Human activities are destroying the natural world, leading to the extinction of animal and plant species at a terrifying rate.
Our actions threaten over one million species. And in New Zealand we have the highest proportion of threatened native species in the world, with more than 4000 at risk.
Some experts believe we are in the throes of the sixth mass extinction. In This Is How It Ends, a seven-part Stuff documentary series, Andrea Vance and Iain McGregor investigate the biodiversity crisis.
Māui dolphin and New Zealand sea lion are on a countdown to extinction - so why do politicians drag their feet?
ANDREA VANCE
Senior journalist
IAIN McGREGOR
Visual journalist
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Both Hector’s (pictured) and Māui dolphins are classified as threatened species, which have the greatest risk of extinction.
Both Hector’s (pictured) and Māui dolphins are classified as threatened species, which have the greatest risk of extinction.
A recent survey estimated only 54 Māui remain. Researchers attempt to collect samples using a veterinary rifle.
A recent survey estimated only 54 Māui remain. Researchers attempt to collect samples using a veterinary rifle.
Hector’s dolphins swim in Lyttelton harbour, Canterbury.
Hector’s dolphins swim in Lyttelton harbour, Canterbury.
Hector's and Māui have been in serious decline for almost half a century — their biggest human threats are fishing nets.
Hector's and Māui have been in serious decline for almost half a century — their biggest human threats are fishing nets.
Both Hector’s (pictured) and Māui dolphins are classified as threatened species, which have the greatest risk of extinction.
Both Hector’s (pictured) and Māui dolphins are classified as threatened species, which have the greatest risk of extinction.
A recent survey estimated only 54 Māui remain. Researchers attempt to collect samples using a veterinary rifle.
A recent survey estimated only 54 Māui remain. Researchers attempt to collect samples using a veterinary rifle.
Hector's and Māui have been in serious decline for almost half a century — their biggest human threats are fishing nets.
Hector's and Māui have been in serious decline for almost half a century — their biggest human threats are fishing nets.
Hector’s dolphins swim in Lyttelton harbour, Canterbury.
Hector’s dolphins swim in Lyttelton harbour, Canterbury.
The Government and the population of New Zealand need to decide whether they want cheap fish and chips from the west coast of the North Island, or Maui's dolphin, because you can't have both.
Sea lion bulls duel on Enderby Island, in the Auckland Islands group.
Sea lion bulls duel on Enderby Island, in the Auckland Islands group.
A sea lion and a skua at Sandy Bay, Enderby Island.
A sea lion and a skua at Sandy Bay, Enderby Island.
New Zealand doesn't have a threatened species act, to protect creatures like the sea lion.
New Zealand doesn't have a threatened species act, to protect creatures like the sea lion.
Campbell Island/Moutere Ihupuku Marine Reserve protects only per cent of the territorial sea around the island group.
Campbell Island/Moutere Ihupuku Marine Reserve protects only per cent of the territorial sea around the island group.
A third of New Zealand's land mass is protected in parks and reserves, but marine reserves cover just 0.48 percent of oceans.
A third of New Zealand's land mass is protected in parks and reserves, but marine reserves cover just 0.48 percent of oceans.
New Zealand sea lions are one of the rarest sea lion species in the world, with a population of about 12,000.
New Zealand sea lions are one of the rarest sea lion species in the world, with a population of about 12,000.
If the decline continues, New Zealand sea lions are likely to become extinct within our lifetime.
If the decline continues, New Zealand sea lions are likely to become extinct within our lifetime.
Sea lion bulls duel on Enderby Island, in the Auckland Islands group.
Sea lion bulls duel on Enderby Island, in the Auckland Islands group.
New Zealand doesn't have a threatened species act, to protect creatures like the sea lion.
New Zealand doesn't have a threatened species act, to protect creatures like the sea lion.
Campbell Island/Moutere Ihupuku Marine Reserve protects only per cent of the territorial sea around the island group.
Campbell Island/Moutere Ihupuku Marine Reserve protects only per cent of the territorial sea around the island group.
A sea lion and a skua at Sandy Bay, Enderby Island.
A sea lion and a skua at Sandy Bay, Enderby Island.
A third of New Zealand's land mass is protected in parks and reserves, but marine reserves cover just 0.48 percent of oceans.
A third of New Zealand's land mass is protected in parks and reserves, but marine reserves cover just 0.48 percent of oceans.
New Zealand sea lions are one of the rarest sea lion species in the world, with a population of about 12,000.
New Zealand sea lions are one of the rarest sea lion species in the world, with a population of about 12,000.
If the decline continues, New Zealand sea lions are likely to become extinct within our lifetime.
If the decline continues, New Zealand sea lions are likely to become extinct within our lifetime.
OTHER EPISODES
Episode 1
Seabirds
now
Episode 2
Native Birds
now
Episode 4
All creatures great and small
Oct 22 Watch
now
Episode 5
Fresh Water
Oct 26 Watch
now
Episode 6
The Endangered Forest
Oct 27 Watch
now
Episode 7
The Islands
Oct 28 Watch
now
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