FISHERMAN’S BLUES Ajay Peni is wowing audiences in Aussie - it’s time you heard him too.

Fisherman’s

With a fisherman father and a brother with ‘salt in his bones’, it might have been expected that the Chatham Islands’ Ajay Peni would follow the family down to the sea in ships; but Ajay has stories to tell and a guitar to help him tell them, so for the last few years he’s strode a stage instead of a deck or a dock. And despite being an established musician across the Tasman, already paying his dues as a working musician, there’s a distinct feeling that he’s only just begun.

Auckland

Wellington

Christchurch

CHATHAM ISLANDS

44° 02′S 176°26′W

BORN AND BRED ON THE CHATHAMS, Ajay has called Perth home for the last 12 years and has slotted right into the local music scene, gigging regularly up to six nights a week across the city. But over the phone in a COVID-induced separation from home, there’s no mistaking that he’s remained true to his Kiwi roots, with that voice so familiar to any of his followers, laid back and friendly, filled with easy going Kiwi-isms - ‘Chathamese’ as the Island locals call it. This guy was born to be up on stage.

“I always loved music, from a young age,” he says, “and a lot of my uncles were amazing guitar players and singers, and all self taught. And when I left the Island and went to high school in Christchurch I had an awesome design and photography teacher - Ms Price - who was a really great teacher and a big influence. But I definitely think music is integral to the Chathams, not just playing it but even the essence of how music can create a whole feeling and energy that sticks in your memory. The good honest feel of music really resonates with the honest island way.” The most enduring influence on his music is undoubtedly his home though. “Yeah bro, it’s what I try and capture in the music, the Island and the rawness and wildness, the incredible characters and the landscapes – it’s the wild south east not the wild, wild west! When you grow up on the island you have to be self sufficient and it gives you a whole different way of seeing things. I sort of call what I do ‘fisherman’s blues’ and just try and paint pictures in my head, like going out on a misty morning when the sky has that real dark blue hue. But it’s not all blues, there’s a lot of influences in my music. There are not too many people carving the same path as me at present from home, but the biggest thing I hope to do is inspire in some way, not just music but art.”

Ajay has released music under the moniker of both Black Robin and 44 Degreez - a hat-tip to home as the Chatham Islands are on latitude 44° South - and can be found on your music streaming platform of choice. But these days he’s got his eye on something much bigger than daytime radio stardom, something very few musicians could even dream about.

A family trip to Australia lead to a relocation over the ditch, but it also kicked off a new chapter for Ajay. “I was doing a few things - I kinda changed jobs like undies really until I found music! - then I was playing the guitar in the garage a lot and that led to doing covers at gigs. Perth’s a really kind place for musicians, and in general, and I’ve got a niche here. There’s a real boho, gypsy vibe here and though my style is a bit rawer it chimes over here.”

“Music is integral to the Chathams, not just playing it but even the essence of how music can create a whole feeling and energy that sticks in your memory.”

“I’ve shifted past the idea of trying to write a hit, I just write and release music for myself now, but also for the Island, and all the islanders… my people. I’m also native Moriori and there is a language rejuvenation programme underway through Hokotehi Marae and also Otago University that I’m very blessed to be involved in. I’m composing music and melodies to sacred old rongo, which are the old prayers and songs of my ancestors. I’ve worked on seven already with Paora Pohatu, and this time around I’ve done 16 and stripped it back to Chatham Islands landscape recordings from the Tawera Productions boys and myself and also Alistair Fraser using taonga pūoro (traditional instrumentation), also from Rekohu. That took about a year to complete and it’s a completely different vein of writing to what I’m used to!”

Recreating cultural treasures handed down through generations; no pressure then? “Yeah bro! I used to feel that, a lot of pressure! But that sorta vanished, because it’s a completely different way of writing and composing - there’s no ego involved, there’s no pushing, you just have to let it come and trust that is the right way that they are supposed to be sung.”

By the time you read this, those rongo should be ‘into the wild’ and available, with a tentative title of Rongo Moriori, but make sure you check out Ajay’s other projects, Black Robin and 44 Degreez. But most of all remember the name Ajay Peni - because you haven’t heard the last of him, and you heard it here first.

Important Information for Visitors

The Islands are a place where you will enjoy many different activities. Nature, history, culture, fishing, walks and hikes, photography, art and craft, isolated beaches and bird watching. Here are a few key things Tourism Chatham Islands would like you to know before you arrive.

Respecting the Local Kai Moana Resource

The Chatham Islands are renowned for their abundant seafood. Help us preserve this valuable resource by taking only what you need for a meal and purchase fish to take home from the local factories.

Please leave the paua beds for the locals. They are an important local food source and resource that we don’t want to see depleted. You can enjoy lots of quality Chatham Islands seafood on the menus here on the islands.

Private Land Access and Signage

Unlike mainland New Zealand, most of the island, including the beaches, is privately owned land. Most attractions are on private land and access to them requires permission and payment of an entry fee. This must be prearranged and your host will be able to assist. Visitors are asked not to venture onto any private land without permission.

Natural and Archaeological Taonga The Chatham Islands are rich in flora and fauna, geological and archaeological treasures – for example native birds, fossils (including shark teeth), and sites related to Moriori settlement, all of which are protected by law. These also hold special value to Islanders. Please respect these by not removing any items you find.

Water Conservation Water is often in short supply and restrictions are put in place, particularly in summer. Please help us to conserve it when showering, flushing etc.