Strong Voices

For years New Zealand bands and musicians have headed to Los Angeles or London to try their luck. Not many went by ship.

Accessible Properties tenant Maurice Greer did, because it was 1966.

Maurice is the lead singer, drummer and only original member of The Human Instinct, a New Zealand band that has released seven albums and entertained audiences for 60 years.

“When I joined the band we were called The Four Fours,” Maurice says. “A month before we left for England we were on the Rolling Stones tour, playing at the Civic in Auckland and Town Hall in Wellington.”

“On the way to the UK, we decided we needed a new name – and that’s how The Human Instinct was born.”

Maurice’s love of music started early. As a young boy, he would listen to his father playing guitar and singing. He gave little Maurice a ukulele and there was no stopping him.

“When I was about 10, I went along to the Regent (in Palmerston North) where Johnny Devlin was playing. Took my ukulele and did my own show after Johnny had finished.”

These days, from his place in Pāpāmoa, he’s still doing what he loves.

The Human Instinct did a gig at the New Zealand Blues and BBQ Festival in Rotorua last November and there’s a new album in the works.

Maurice has lived in his Accessible Properties home for nearly 13 years now. “I reckon Pāpāmoa’s the best spot in the world – especially at the moment,” he says.

He moved in with his wife, but sadly she became unwell and passed away not long after.

“I have really appreciated how my tenancy managers worked with me to clear out my place when I got too much stuff.”

“And Accessible Properties has kept the place in good order. I’m really happy.”

Happy in his home and still making music. “Legend” is a label thrown around all too easily. But if the cap fits…

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Above: Maurice Greer. Colin Lunt Photography/SunLive.

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