5th March - Opo, the dolphin

Discovered this little memorial statue today whilst travelling from the Waitangi treaty grounds over to the West coast - all rather touching.

In the summer of 1955, a dolphin appeared in the bay here in Opononi – a tiny little hamlet on the West coast of Northland. The children were captivated as it was so friendly and sought out their company to play. In fact it became a national celebrity as it spent the whole summer in the bay, playing with children, giving them rides, and performing tricks with beach balls.

Sadly, it was killed by unknown dynamite fishers the following year, the locals being so upset that they commissioned the statue in Opo’s memory.