Pygmy pipehorse discovered in New Zealand given Māori name in ‘world first’

Ngtiwai tribal leaders formally listed as official naming authorities for the tiny creature

A tiny candy-stick coloured pygmy pipehorse, discovered in a small area off New Zealand's north coast has been given a Mori name by the local iwi (tribe) - in what is believed to be the first time an indigenous group has formally named a new species of animal.

The 6cm long fish is closely related to the seahorse, and inhabits the rocky reefs off the north-east coast. It is the first pygmy pipehorse discovered in the country.