Daphne Walker

Daphne Rose Walker (September 25, 1930 – July 17, 2025) was a New Zealand Polynesian and pop singer from Great Barrier Island. Active from 1946 to 1966, Walker won a talent quest in 1949, which resulted in a series of live broadcasts on 1YA radio with steel guitarist Bill Wolfgramm and guitarist Johnny Bradfield. In 1955, Walker released the single “Haere Mai” on the Tanza label, which sold over 40,000 copies. She recorded more than 30 sides for Tanza, including “Hootchy Kootchy Henry” and “Maori Brown Eyes”. Walker collaborated with musicians including Bill Sevesi and George Tumahai. Her final release was the 1966 album Coconut Grove. Although she suffered from stage fright and preferred studio recording over live performance, she remained a popular figure in the 1950s. In 2012, Walker received the Nostalgia Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand. She died at age 94.

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