Maree Sheehan


Maree Sheehan’s early musical environment was a joyful, if not paradoxical mix. “I was brought up with a lot of American pop music, a lot of disco and Top 20 Hits,” Sheehan said in 2014. “But on the other side, culturally, I was influenced by my mum and her singing, and the whānau getting together and playing guitar and signing waiata. Being Māori, I was exposed to the whole cultural side of waiata, the way we sang together and the family came together.”

Sheehan was born in Leeston, Canterbury, with iwi affiliations to Ngāti Maniapoto-Waikato, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whaoa, and Irish heritage from her father’s side. Both of her parents were musical: her mother and aunts sang waiata together in a group and sometimes performed local gigs, and her father played the accordion in a band.

Maree Sheehan - You Can't Hide Love (1995)
Maree Sheehan, right, with her mother Marjorie Mata Sheehan and Hinewehi Mohi at the release party for ‘Make U My Own’, Auckland, 1991.
Photo credit: Maree Sheehan Collection
Maree Sheehan performing with Taiaroa Royal. In the centre, obscured, is Taane Mete. 
Photo credit: Maree Sheehan Collection
Photo call at the ‘Love Me As I Am’ tribute concert to Mahinaarangi Tocker at the Auckland Town Hall, 16 March 2018. Among the performers were Annie Crummer, Anahera Higgins, Kenji Iwamitsu Holdaway, Karen Hunter, Victoria Kelly, Shona Laing, Moana Maniapoto, Don McGlashan, Anika Moa, Hinewehi Mohi, Emma Paki, Nadia Reid, Maree Sheehan, Hinewairangi Tocker, Huirangi Tocker, Kīmai Tocker, and Charlotte Yates.
Photo credit: Maree Sheehan Collection
Maree Sheehan - Kia Tu Mahea ( To Be Free)
Maree Sheehan, right, behind the scenes of the Dare to be Different video, Auckland 1992
Photo credit: Maree Sheehan Collection
Maree Sheehan - Past To The Present (1995)
Maree Sheehan's album Chasing the Light (Warners, 2013). Cover design by Barny, Iridium. 
Maree Sheehan performing at the Big Gay Out 2014, Coyles Park, Auckland.
Photo credit: Melanie Church
Maree Sheehan performing in 1995 at the APRA Silver Scroll. 
Jules Issa, Maree Sheehan and Tigi Ness at the 1994 Apra Silver Scroll awards
Maree Sheehan performing at the Manukau City Council’s Music in the Parks event, 1995, with Taiaroa Royal, Taane Mete, and Liz.
Photo credit: Maree Sheehan Collection
Maree Sheehan and George Hubbard at the release party for the ‘Make U My Own’ single, Shortland St, Auckland, 1991.
Photo credit: Maree Sheehan Collection
Maree Sheehan's 1995 single Past to the Present included a dance mix and an extended mix. It was programmed by Alan Jansson. 
Maree Sheehan's 1995 single You Can't Find Love; the b-side was Make You My Own. 
Maree Sheehan and dance troupe at the Hero Party, 1994, Ellerslie Show Grounds, Auckland. 
Photo credit: Maree Sheehan Collection
Maree Sheehan - Fatally Cool (1995)
Maree Sheehan, centre right, performing at the Hero Party on the Auckland waterfront wharf, 1993. 
Photo credit: Maree Sheehan Collection
Maree Sheehan singing at Staircase, Albert Street, Auckland, 1993. 
Photo credit: Maree Sheehan Collection
Maree Sheehan - Dare To Be Different (1992)
Maree Sheehan, in red, behind the scenes of Past to the Present video, High Street, Auckland, 1994.
Maree Sheehan's 1994 single Kia Tu Mahea (To Be Free) was featured on the soundtrack of 'Once Were Warriors'. Acclaimed kapa haka group Waka Huia sing on the track, and perform in the video.
Maree Sheehan's 1992 single Dare to Be Different (Tangata). 
Maree Sheehan - What Have You Done To Me (1995)
Maree Sheehan, right, with Leichelle Tanoa and Bridgit Te Whiti, Midnight Club, Albert Street, Auckland, 1993. 
Photo credit: Maree Sheehan Collection
Maree Sheehan's 1995 album Drawn in Deep. Mark Williams and Erana Clark made appearances as backing vocalists on a track each. 
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Tangata Records


Roadshow Music

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