Childhood memory restored

JOY: Dawn Underwood, one of countless children who swam with Opo, and an ardent admirer of the new statue.

New statue of beloved dolphin unveiled

Dawn Underwood was one of hundreds of Northland children who spent the unforgettable summer of 1955-56 playing in the shallows of the Hokianga Harbour with a dolphin named Opo.

On Saturday she blinked back tears as a new bronze statue to Opo was unveiled on the Opononi waterfront, almost two years since the stone original was badly damaged in circumstances that remain unclear.

Ms Underwood, who lives at Ohaeawai and was five years old at the time, said she was amazed that Opo was still being celebrated more than 60 years later. She recalled how Opo would play with her and swim to the bottom to pick up bottles, tossing them into the air for spectators crowding the beachfront.

"It was a very special time," she said.

She also remembered the dreadful day locals realised their dolphin was missing, and how every man with a boat went out searching until its body was found.

"That was an extremely sad time, but I'll remember always the joy that dolphin brought to us here in Opononi," she added.

Saturday's blessing was conducted by John Klaricich, who said Opo was "a very special animal which sought out human company," and left a lasting memory. He hoped Opo's story would encourage a better understanding of the natural world, which the people of the Hokianga were so blessed to have on their doorstep.

Mr Klaricich said dolphins had special significance to Maori, who saw in them a connection to their ancestral traditions. They believed the second and third waka to arrive in New Zealand had been guided by dolphins summoned by their founding ancestor, Kupe.

Opononi man Ian Leigh-Mackenzie, who also played with Opo as a child and was the driving force behind the new statue, said it was a project full of goodwill.

"Everyone was so eager to help," he said.

They ranged from the bach owner who donated the bronze to the expert who restored the original without charge, and all those who had given money to the cause. It also showed what a small community could achieve if it set its mind to a task. Mr Leigh-Mackenzie saying people's reactions as the new statue was unveiled had made all the work worthwhile.

"It's just beautiful, a beautiful work of art," he said.

Well over 100 people gathered to see Far North District councillor and Lotteries Arts and Heritage Committee chairwoman Sally Macauley unveil the statue. Lotteries paid the lion's share of the $90,000 cost, although significant contributions were also made by Pub Charities and local residents.