A tribute marking the deaths of Hector and Māui dolphins in 2018 will take place on Saturday afternoon.
A dolphin coffin will be carried along Auckland's Muriwai beach, followed by the laying of flowers and speeches.
- Māui dolphin population may fall after suspected death near Raglan
- Dead Māui's dolphin discovered to be pregnant
Organiser Christine Rose says devastated New Zealanders want to respond.
"People feel frustrated and powerless and angry and very sad. We wanted an opportunity to channel that sadness and the grief that people are feeling."
Deaths this year include a pregnant Māui dolphin that washed up in Raglan in early October. RNZ reported at the time that it may have died due to natural causes during its pregnancy.
Ms Rose said the funeral is a stark image of the brutal reality of the prospects of the animals.
"We'll be laying the dolphin on the sand and giving the public an opportunity to attest to the value of these dolphins to them, and to the ocean," she said.
Ms Rose is calling for greater protection for endangered dolphin populations.
"There are some sub-populations of Hector's dolphins that have no protection at all at the moment," she said.
Newshub.
