These blunt-nosed sea lions are the only member of the genus Phocarctos. Females are polymorphic with light and dark types. Like most sea lions, males such as this, are massively larger than females. They will vigorously defend their territories and will bite if you get too close. Some members of our group had a particularly close call with an injured male that was blocking a trail. In another incident, a researcher had to be air-lifted back to the mainland after a bite became infected.
Endemic to New Zealand, these large pinnipeds are listed as endangered by IUCN. They are scarce on the mainland with healthy populations now limited to the Subantarctic Islands. With a total population of about 10,000 they are believed to be the world's rarest sea lion. The Auckland Island population which is the largest, declined by about 50% on between 2000 and 2015. Some of the decline has was caused by epizootic disease outbreaks which killed large numbers of pups. Canon PowerShot SX50 HS.
References:
Chilvers, B.L. 2015. Phocarctos hookeri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T17026A1306343. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T17026A1306343.en. Downloaded on 20 February 2017.
Wikipedia contributors. New Zealand sea lion. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. February 16, 2017, 18:33 UTC. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Zealand_sea_lion&oldid=765836045. Accessed February 20, 2017.