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Story: Recording companies and studios

'Opo the crazy dolphin'

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Successful records are likely to reappear in a variety of other formats. Jazz pianist Crombie Murdoch's 1956 hit 'Opo the crazy dolphin' was recorded overnight by record label TANZA at Auckland's Astor Studios, to cash in on public enthusiasm for a dolphin that enjoyed playing with the public at Opononi in the Hokianga Harbour. The song was then used on the soundtrack of this government newsreel. Sadly, the day the record was released, Opo the dolphin was killed by a charge of explosive.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: Pictorial Parade 47. National Film Unit, 1956

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

Mark Derby, Recording companies and studios – Homegrown hits, 1950s to 1960s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/45090/opo-the-crazy-dolphin (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Mark Derby, published 2 May 2014.