Opononi, Home of Opo - Roadside Stories

A Manatū Taonga audio guide to Opononi. Check out the Ministry for Culture and Heritage's audio guide in the image carousel above.

In 1955–56 a friendly dolphin known as Opo became a celebrity, drawing thousands of visitors to the sleepy town of Opononi on the Hokianga Harbour. Enjoying human company, Opo performed tricks and let children ride on her back.

Hokianga district,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/northland-places/11

Humans and dolphins,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/dolphins/5

The story of Opo,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/dolphins/5/5/1

Russell Clark, January 1960,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5c23/1/1

Archival audio: Archives New Zealand – Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, http://www.archives.govt.nz/ Pictorial Parade 47. National Film Unit, 1956.

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Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides that follow major road trips in New Zealand. The stories cover the places you’ll pass along the way – their people, their history, their cultural and natural significance. For more information about Roadside Stories visit http://www.mch.govt.nz/roadside/