Aotearoa Sea Shanty Project

Research New Zealand maritime stories, use these to compose original Aotearoa Sea-shanties, help fund a tour of Canada shanty festivals and publish these songs as an educational resource.

Cap'n Spoonbill and the Hoiho are an A Capella singing group from Dunedin, comprised of a range of professional musicians and keen amateur shanty-enthusiasts. Known for hosting interactive singing concerts which include historical stories, dramatic plays and audience participation, the group embraces the strong community focus that shanties and folk songs are known for. The Hoiho currently include Lara Robertson, Harriet Love, Alan Gray, Boaz Anema, Robert Milne, Ella Campbell, Hyram Ballard and Brendan Christie.

Each member will be tasked with creating at least one song based on information provided from the NZ Maritime Museum and other research sources.

This project is also supported by the NZ Maritime Museum, Toitu Early Settlers Museum, Quarantine Island Kamau Taurua, The Dunedin City Council, Tales from Darkest Dunedin Tour and plenty of keen local experts.
 

The funding received will be used to help cover transport costs of our tour to Canada - specifically fees associated with car hire and insurance. 

Late in 2025, Cap'n Spoonbill & The Hoiho were invited to tour and perform at Fundy Fest; a sea-shanty folk festival in Canada - who were excited to be hosting a group from the home of the fabled "The Wellerman" viral sensation song. 

The trouble is... much of our exisitng repertoire is very europe/america-centric. We want to sing the sounds of Aotearoa New Zealand and tell the stories of our own communities through song. 

We will:

• Collaborate with local experts, museums, iwi and passionate history lovers for stories of NZ maritime history.
• Compose a range of original shanties.
• Refine and develop these songs through performances in a tour through Canada.
• Record and publish these songs, developing them into educational resources to be made available to museums, schools and libaries.

This project aims to fill a gap in the popular resurgence of sea shanties across the world - that of New Zealand and our rich relationship with the sea. It will bring Aotearoa stories to the ears of an international audience and allow kiwis, both young and old, to connect with our history and people of the past.