The 18-metre schooner Blazing Shadz, and skipper Julie Butler missing since April 2025.
By AI-ChatGPT4o-T.Chr.-Human Synthesis-07 June 2025
Butler, 55, was last known to be anchored at Kaiaraara Bay on Aotea/Great Barrier Island, New Zealand. A partner agency raised concerns for her welfare on April 4, and by April 7, authorities confirmed that the vessel was no longer in its usual location.
Julie Butler was a seasoned sailor who had lived aboard various iterations of Blazing Shadz for years, frequenting areas such as Whangārei Harbour, Taurikura, and Urquharts Bay. She was known for her ambition to undertake a solo, non-stop, round-the-world voyage.
Despite extensive searches involving the Police Maritime Unit, Coastguard, and local harbourmasters, there have been no confirmed sightings of Butler or her yacht. Julie Butler, the missing skipper of the 18-metre schooner Blazing Shadz, is a long-time resident of New Zealand's Northland region.
She spent over a decade living aboard her vessel in areas such as Ōpua and Whangārei Harbour . More recently, she had been anchored at Kaiaraara Bay on Aotea/Great Barrier Island . nzherald.co.nz
In 2014, Butler shared her aspiration to undertake a solo, non-stop, round-the-world voyage . She also discussed her personal journey of gender transition, revealing that she had long grappled with her identity before embracing her true self and adopting the name Julie. nzherald.co.nz
While specific details about her early life or birthplace are not publicly documented, Butler's deep ties to New Zealand's maritime community, particularly in Northland and the Bay of Plenty, are well recognized.
Julie Butler is a transgender woman. In a 2014 interview with the Bay of Plenty Times, she openly discussed her journey of gender transition, sharing that she had long grappled with her identity before embracing her true self and adopting the name Julie. She expressed a sense of liberation in living authentically, stating that she had "never been happier" since making the transition.
Butler's story has been inspirational to many, highlighting the importance of self-acceptance and the courage to live one's truth. Her experiences have also shed light on the challenges faced by transgender individuals, particularly in the maritime community where she was a well-known figure.
Julie Butler did not complete a solo, non-stop, round-the-world voyage in 2014. At that time, she was still in the process of preparing her yacht, Blazing Shadz, for such an ambitious journey.
In a 2014 interview, Butler discussed her aspirations for a global circumnavigation and her efforts to secure sponsorships to fund the completion of her vessel.
As part of her preparation, she planned a solo sail around New Zealand—a 2,200-nautical-mile journey intended as a warm-up for the world voyage. However, there is no public record indicating that either the New Zealand circumnavigation or the global voyage was undertaken or completed. forums.sailinganarchy.com
By 2010, Blazing Shadz had been launched, and Butler sailed it to the Bay of Islands. This voyage was more personal in nature, serving as a period of introspection regarding her gender identity and future sailing ambitions. At that time, she was also contemplating the challenges of obtaining sponsorship as a transgender sailor. nzherald.co.nz
In summary, while Julie Butler had the ambition and made significant preparations for a solo, non-stop, round-the-world voyage, there is no evidence to suggest that she embarked on or completed such a journey in 2014.
Anybody knew her?