Hayley Westenra

Now a household name both in New Zealand and overseas, Hayley Dee Westenra was born in Christchurch on April 10 1987. Classical music was played to her in the womb by her mother not from any desire to create a singing star, but because her mother’s research suggested it was good for babies’ brain development.

In Hayley Westenra, The World At Her Feet, Paul Little quotes Hayley’s mother, Jill as saying:
‘I read all the pregnancy books from all the libraries around Christchurch. When I finished with the town one, I moved to the suburbs. I read about nutrition. I just wanted to do the best I could.’

Hayley was part of McDonald’s Young Entertainers, and was a regular busker. Her first album Walking in the Air was a locally-funded effort, and was first played on Plains FM, Christchurch’s community radio station. At 13, she had a CD to her name and at 14 she had a record deal with Universal, and a self-titled album, Hayley Westenra. By 2007 she had sung for the Queen, President Bush and Andrew Lloyd Webber has asked to write for her. She is the youngest ever Unicef ambassador.

Hayley’s debut international album Pure went straight in at No.8 in the UK pop album charts and No.1 in the Classical Charts, making her the fastest-selling debut classical artist of all time.

Her New Album, Treasure, debuted at No. 1 in the New Zealand album charts.

We recommend: Hayley Westenra resources

Our online resources:

• Radio rules the airwaves NZ music from 1900 to today.
• Music websites, bands and reviews on Pulse, our youth site.
• New Zealanders who have made their mark in pop culture.
• Classical music at the library our page on exploring our classical collections.

Our Internet Gateway recommends:

• Other New Zealand popular artists.
• Visit Hayley Westenra’s website.

Browse the resources in our libraries:

• Catalogue listings for Hayley Westenra.
• Paul Little’s book Hayley Westenra: World at her Feet.