Moko's Memorial

Moko's Memorial was held yesterday at the Mataatua Reserve in Whakatane, the last town that he made his home before his premature death. Today Moko will be buried on Matakana Island where he was found just over a week ago.



Surrounded by the boogie boards and noodles that he loved

Click on the link to hear Moko's farewell - Farewell Moko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1lZ-Iv2jSk



Moko arrives escorted by friends and "Moko Minders"

Pōwhiri

Click here to listen to the Pōwhiri & the lamenting call of the karanga

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cG4Cv1fTzo

 

The crowd awaits Moko's arrival

Moko touched the hearts of many people, from the very young to the young at heart and from all walks of life they came to pay their respects. Some spoke about their experiences with Moko, others were happy to just be there to honour their special memories of Moko.

Pouroto Ngaropo from Ngati Awa

 

 

Kirsty welcomes everyone to Moko's Memorial

Moko the fun loving dolphin- as we remember him

The Guy in the Jockeys- "Watene" 

While all of the stories were moving one stood out. "Watene" told us he was in jail when he heard about Moko. He told the "fellas" that when he was released and returned to Whakatane, his home town, he was going to swim with "that dolphin" and he did.

Watene made the crowd laugh with his story of Moko-

The Guy in the Jockeys- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87OCurMqLy4



Preschoolers leave Moko their tributes

Little Orchard Preschool sing for Moko- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnrCdScXn9s

Kirsty reads Little Orchard's words- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF4wvtv8rgQ

More photos from the day-

Signing Moko's casket

Finals farewells and prayers for Moko-

Whakaaria Mai- How Great Thou Art- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Sdk0n2Q7s


Hallelujah Moko sung by Pastor Andre-   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt-jVx_GJxw

Moko was then taken by boat for his final ride down the Whakatane River past all his favourite spots and around to Otarawairere Bay and his favourite buoy-

Today Moko and his minders crossed the Tauranga harbour to Matakana Island where he will be laid to rest on one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand.

As the barge made it's way across the water, the sun broke through the clouds and I said a final silent farewell to Moko; Rest In Peace beautiful boy, My Mate Moko.

Tangaroa has called you home, resting forever in the shadow of scared Mauao-

And one final note for those in the future that happen across my blog and wonder how Moko met his maker- we are informed that he didn't have any signs of blunt force trauma so we can discount him being hit by a boat and he also didn't drown so he wasn't caught in a net. Small consolations.

Direct from the pathology report sent to media -

"The liver contained a large amount of gold/orange pigment, which was negative on iron stains and was interpreted as bile. This pigment was present both within cells and between cells, presumably in small bile ductules. No further evaluation of the nature of any underlying liver disease was possible. This change within the liver is likely to be due to obstructed excretion of bile, which can occur in a number of liver diseases. Unfortunately, due to the extent of post mortem degeneration of the tissues, it is not possible to determine what the liver disease was, or how severe it was. It is possible though that this may have contributed to the death of the dolphin."

"There was, however, no evidence of infection of the remaining teeth or of the bone surrounding the damaged teeth, so it is unlikely that this was associated with his death."

You can read the full Pathology Report here.
http://infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=54911

My tribute to an amazing dolphin who brought so much joy to so many, Moko we will miss you-

Thanks for the Memories#1 -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2EuFykSUaI

Thanks for the Memories#2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KGrNncIlLc


Footnote-  I have included all the actual links in the posts as I am going have my blog on Moko printed in book form, this way anyone reading the book will be able to copy the links to find the movies.

The Final Chapter

A Tribute to Moko

Our beautiful dolphin Moko was found dead today and I am devastated.

Moko's body was found this morning on the ocean side of Matakana Island, very near the Tauranga harbour entrance. It would seem that he has been dead for 2-3 weeks and with no obvious injuries everyone is wondering how (and why). Hopefully the necropsy will shed some light, maybe he ingested some rubbish or succumbed to a human virus, perhaps he was hit by a boat or caught in a fishing net. Although we may never know the cause, due to the bad state of his body. I just hope he didn't suffer.

Moko brought so much joy and pleasure to so many people, not only here in New Zealand, but right around the world. A very special dolphin, he will live on in the hearts of many who will hold dear their wonderful memories of Moko. He will also live on in the thousands of photos and videos and will be remembered and talked about for generations to come. Moko was, and will always be, a national treasure, he has become a part of New Zealand history and I feel very privileged to be able to say that I knew him. Thank you Moko for the precious memories.

Rest easy Moko, you were one very special dolphin and may there be a stockpile of boogie boards waiting for you in heaven. Gone from the sea but not from our hearts.

A beautiful poem that describes the joy of swimming with a friendly dolphin;

The Dolphin
by Kate Carr

Have you swum with a friendly dolphin
When the day dawns clear and bright,
And seen his welcoming leap of joy,
As you leave the harbour and pass the buoy?
That's pure delight.
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin,
Dozing under the noonday sun,
and stroked his belly so smooth and strong,
Or felt yourself being towed along
In elfin fun?
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin
In the sunset's fiery glow,
When every wavelet is tinged with gold,
And his silhouette, so huge and bold,
Is a graceful bow?
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin
As the silvery moon rides high,
And ocean and earth are bathed in white,
And the dolphin's aglow with a phosphorous light,
As he glides by?
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin
In the South Sea's rolling swell?
Or a choppy squall, as a cloud passed by,
And a leaden greyness darkened the sky,
And raindrops fell?
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin
And a boatload of friends of a kind?
The harmony linking you all, and him,
As you tumble out of the boat for a swim -
It blows your mind.
Have you swum with a friendly dolphin
And known your panic allayed?
Be it ladders or snorkels - whatever your fear -
Perhaps the oceans depth; once the dolphin's near
You're not afraid.
Yes, I've swum with a friendly dolphin
In the moonlight, the sun and the rain;
And the varying moods of the ocean swell
And my life will never - I know full well -
Be the same again.