Moko memorial arrangements confirmed

Ngati Awa will be hosting a public memorial service for Moko at noon tomorrow, Friday 16 July at Mataatua Reserve on Muriwai Drive, opposite Wairaka Marae in Whakatane.

They are welcoming all who wish to pay their respects and farewell the much loved dolphin, to join them there. His burial on Matakana will be taking place the following day.

All who want to pay their respects can do so at Whakatane tomorrow. There are access restrictions and logistical constraints associated with the burial site on Matakana Island that prohibit a large scale ceremony there.

An exchange of sands has been agreed to with Mahia iwi to be included in their commemorations and erection of a memorial at Mahia.