Journey for the Return Home

June Hayes, of Ngapuhi, NgatiPukenga and NgatiManiapoto ancestry, was well-known on Auckland's live music entertainment scene as a jazz singer with a 'voice like velvet', having played concerts, festivals, corporate events, weddings, parties and everything in between with various musicians and big bands, including an appearance at the Brecon International Jazz Festival in Wales some years back.

Following the tragic death of her son, June headed North to whanau in the Bay of Islands where the overwhelming love and support and spiritual connection she felt up there unlocked the desire to return to singing, and inspired her to explore her passion for songwriting and embark on what has been an incredible creative journey.

Well-connected music maker that she is, June has worked for the past year writing, composing and recording her songs in Taupo Bay with producer/arranger Billy Karaitiana, who produced gold and platinum selling albums Long Ago and Sensitive To A Smile for iconic reggae band Herbs, not to mention numerous recording projects for artists including Whirimako Black, Brian Smith, and Ray Woolf, to imbue the music with Maori/Pasifica themes.
Backed by a who's who of NZ talent, June invites you to share her journey of powerfully self-penned songs.