The World Wide Fund for Nature says a plan to increase the protection zone for Maui's dolphins does not go far enough.
Conservation Minister Nick Smith on Friday announced plans for a 350 square kilometre extension to a set net ban out to seven nautical miles off the Taranaki coast.
A ban on commercial set nets already exists around Kaipara harbour and an area off the coast of Taranaki.
But WWF executive director Chris Howe said the dolphins could live further south, which is not covered under the proposal as a banned area.
He said the Government is moving in the right direction, but more needs to be done to protect the last remaining 55 dolphins.
The plan is open to consultation until 10 October.
