Ruru Karaitiana (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne) wrote this gentle song as he sailed past the coast of Africa in 1940 while serving in the 28th Māori Battalion during World War II. With poignant references to loss and longing for home the tune is instantly recognisable. Blue Smoke was recorded with singer Pixie Williams in 1948 and was the first record fully produced in Aotearoa New Zealand. It went on to top the national charts and became an international hit sung by Dean Martin among others.
Fellow Ngāti Kahungunu and Rangitāne artist Terri Te Tau developed a labour intensive karaoke text using stop motion animation of each letter being cross stitched. Terri’s Blue Smoke uses 1940s archival footage from Archives New Zealand showing some of the extensive industrial work undertaken by women to keep the country functioning over this period, in contrast to the war time slogan that; 'For the empire and for freedom, we all must do our bit; the men go forth to battle, the women wait – and knit.' The video is bookended by footage of people smiling and laughing as they prepare food for the return of their loved ones in the 28th Māori Battalion. While welcoming the living this time was also a moment to mourn those who never returned.