Burt Bacharach

Wellington, Jan 5 NZPA - Legendary hitmaker Burt Bacharach has postponed two New Zealand tour dates as he recovers from back surgery.

The 81-year-old American songwriter, whose hits over four decades have included Walk on By and I Say a Little Prayer, was to perform at Auckland's Vector Arena on March 19 and Christchurch's Westpac Stadium on March 21.

Bacharach underwent an operation on New Year's Eve and was making a good recovery in hospital, his publicist told the Associated Press.

The shows would be rescheduled for later this year or early next year.

Bacharach also postponed tour dates in Australia and Florida.

He most recently performed on December 19 in Italy.