It premiered to full houses in March 2021 in a production by New Zealand Opera, with Paul Whelan as Captain James Cook and Amitai Pati as Tahitian priest Tupaia.

The opera was composed by ex-Split Enz and Crowded House musician Tim Finn, who had had a fascination with the sea and astronomy since childhood.

[3] New Zealand Opera opened its 2021 season with the premiere of Ihitai 'Avei'a at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland, directed by John G. Davies.

[3] The opera was staged as a concert performance with the Manukau Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Choral Society, and the Graduate Choir New Zealand conducted by Uwe Grodd.

[3] A second production was scheduled for 28 March 2021 by West Australian Opera at the Perth Concert Hall, with James Clayton singing the role of Cook and Ta'u Pupu'a as Tupaia.