New Zealand singer Daphne Walker dies aged 94

Daphne Walker, aged 94, was known for her 1950s hit Haere Mai (Everything is Kapai). Photo / Chris Bourke Collection via RNZ

By RNZ

New Zealand singer Daphne Walker has died, aged 94.

Walker was best known for songs such as Haere Mai (Everything is Kapai), which was popular in the 1950s.

Online music library AudioCulture said Walker was the star vocalist on New Zealand’s first pop album, South Sea Rhythm, and describes her death as the end of an era.

AudioCulture content director Chris Bourke said Walker was one of the country’s first singing stars.

“She had this velvet voice,” he said.

“She sang with the romance of a film about an idyllic Pacific, she has the easy warmth of the islands, is what Nick Bollinger said about her, and she had glamour as well.”

Bourke said Walker contributed to the first New Zealand album, a 10-inch album called South Sea Rhythm, in which she got co-billing.

“It’s very sad to see the end of an era with the departure of Daphne Walker,” Bourke said.

– RNZ