CSV file containing data derived from Hector's dolphin sightings collected during boat based surveys conducted by the Kaikoura Ocean Research Institute between 2013 and 2020, off Kaikoura New Zealand. These data underpin the analysis in Ellis et al 2024 (https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14690). Specifically, the dataset comprises individual visits to sectors of the coastline, ascertained through GPS tracks and survey notes, and associated dolphin detection (i.e. 1 = detected, 0 = not detected). See methods section in https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14690 for detailed methodology relating to sector generation and treatment of sightings data. The file can be imported directly into R software for analysis.