CJB wrote: Got some scans of the Reed book from the Turnbull. But there is nothing in the book about Wellerman or Weller Man. Plenty of sketches. But nothing to do with our song. The librarian has kindly offered to search other books in their catalogue. I’ll upload her email to me here.

Good work! Nice to know I can stop looking for Reed.... It's worth remembering that it wasn't the only possibility, just the one that sounded most logical. I continue seeking others; the Forster book has a lot of possibilities although none of them scream at me "This is the one."

I am also more and more inclined to think it's an Australian song, not a New Zealand song, by origin. The Weller Brothers operation in New Zealand was a shore whaling operation only. Even if one of their supply ships chased a whale, there would be no way for the Wellerman to visit.

To the person who dislikes the song: It's worth remembering that hardly any, if any, of the recordings we've heard in the last few year has it right. Every one of the half dozen or so that I have heard has distorted the tune -- usually mis-timing the chorus, but there are other errors, too. I doubt that getting it right would make you like it much better, but do keep in mind that what you're hearing is not quite what was sung in New Zealand in the early 1970s!