page_title: Opo (dolphin)
hierarchical_section_title: Opo (dolphin)
caption_attribution_description: Opo was a wild bottlenose dolphin who became famous throughout New Zealand during the summer of 1955-56 for playing with the children of the small town of Opononi on the Hokianga harbour. Opo started following fishing boats around Opononi in early 1955, and would swim daily in the bay close to the town. She was originally named "Opononi Jack", based on "Pelorus Jack", as she was presumed to be male. 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 became a local celebrity and news of her soon spread, and visitors from throughout the country would come to watch her. On 8 March 1956 official protection for Opo, was requested by locals, and was made law, but on 9 March she was found dead in a rock crevice at Koutu Point. There were suggestions that she had become stranded while fishing. Her death was reported nationwide, and she was buried with full Māori honours in a special plot next to the War Memorial Hall. There have been several documentaries made about "Opo" and songs produced, story books and a statue erected of her playing with a child by Russell Clark which was erected in Opononi in 1960. The above photograph is from the National Publicity Studios collection at Archives New Zealand. Photographer, National Film Unit. Photograph taken in 1956. The National Publicity Studios were established in 1945, but its beginnings can be traced back to the establishment in 1924 of a Publicity Office - part of the Department of Internal Affairs. The emphasis of this Publicity Office was on films, photographs and booklets. The purpose of the National Publicity Studios was to provide advice to government departments and state agencies on the provision of photographic, art, and display services and in particular to assist in the production of publicity material aimed at conveying a favourable image of New Zealand. Archives New Zealand Reference: AAQT 6359 A44488
context_page_description: Opo was a bottlenose dolphin who became famous throughout New Zealand during the summer of 1955/56 for playing with the children of the small town of Opononi on the Hokianga harbour.
  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.
  Māori children were more reluctant to play with Opo, as cultural beliefs said the dolphin was a messenger from Kupe.
  The dolphin became a local celebrity but news of her soon spread, and visitors from throughout the country would come to watch her. On 8 March 1956 official protection for Opo, requested by locals, was made law, but on 9 March she was found dead in a rock crevice at Koutu Point. There were suggestions that she had become stranded while fishing, or that she had been killed by fishermen fishing with gelignite.
context_section_description: Opo was a bottlenose dolphin who became famous throughout New Zealand during the summer of 1955/56 for playing with the children of the small town of Opononi on the Hokianga harbour.
  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.
  Māori children were more reluctant to play with Opo, as cultural beliefs said the dolphin was a messenger from Kupe.
  The dolphin became a local celebrity but news of her soon spread, and visitors from throughout the country would come to watch her. On 8 March 1956 official protection for Opo, requested by locals, was made law, but on 9 March she was found dead in a rock crevice at Koutu Point. There were suggestions that she had become stranded while fishing, or that she had been killed by fishermen fishing with gelignite. Her death was reported nationwide, and she was buried with full Māori honours in a special plot next to the Opononi War Memorial Hall.
caption: Opo entertains visitors in 1956
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