Raised in the northern Hawkes Bay village of Mohaka, Pikiteora 'Pixie' Williams was surrounded by musical talent. When the town grew too small and her country needed support for the war effort she made the move to Wellington.

There, along with Ruru Karaitiana, she would make New Zealand music history by being the voice of Blue Smoke - the first-ever record to be composed, recorded, and released in New Zealand.