New Zealand sea lions are now listed as “nationally critical”.

This is the highest threat category in New Zealand and .puts them in the same category as the kakapo and Maui’s dolphin.

Any species that has undergone a greater than 70% population decline over a period of less than three generations is considered “nationally critical”.

This change in status is due to the rapid population decline over the last 10-12 years.

Auckland Islands Pup Production

See Review Paper  below for details
The population decline of the New Zealand sea lion Phocarctos hookeri: a review of possible causes.