Opo the dolphin

Opo the dolphin was a beloved celebrity in New Zealand during the summer of 1955/56.

She was a bottlenose dolphin who became famous for playing with the children of the small town of Opononi on the Hokianga harbour. Opononi is a tiny fishing town nestled just inside the mouth of the Hokianga Harbour, in the country's Northland Region. Opo was a wild dolphin that started following fishing boats around Opononi in early 1955. She was originally named "Opononi Jack", based on Pelorus Jack, since she was presumed to be male.

Unlike the majority of dolphins, she had no qualms about human company, and would perform stunts for locals, play with objects like beach balls and beer bottles, and allow children to swim alongside her and make contact. Opo's friendly nature quickly made her a beloved figure in the town and beyond. Her playful antics and willingness to interact with humans made her a sensation, and she quickly became a national celebrity. Her story was covered extensively in the media, and she was even the subject of a popular song, "Opo the Friendly Dolphin". Unfortunately, Opo's life was cut short when she died in March 1956 after becoming entangled in the ropes of a crayfish pot. Her death was reported nationwide, and she was buried with full Maori honours in a special plot next to the Opononi War Memorial Hall.

Today, Opo's legacy lives on in Opononi, where a stone statue of the dolphin playing with a child stands as a tribute to her memory. The statue commemorates Opo the Hokianga dolphin who came to play with locals and visitors in the waters of Opononi in the 1950s. Visitors to Opononi can also learn more about Opo's story at the Opononi Hotel, which has a display dedicated to her. In addition, a dramatised documentary called "Opo" was made in 1991, which looks back to 1955 when Opo began appearing regularly in Hokianga Harbour.

In summary, Her friendly nature and willingness to interact with humans made her a sensation, and her story lives on in Opononi through a statue and a display at the Opononi Hotel.