Morrissey has announced he is heading to Antipodean shores for the first time in more than a decade for a run of shows this December.

Often credited as the man who patented indie music for the masses, Morrissey's swelling guitar anthems and signature sorrow have defined a musical path that many other bands have since travelled down.

Joining Morrissey on his tour of New Zealand and Australia will be American singer/songwriter Kristeen Young.

They are set to play Wellington's Town Hall on December 14 and Auckland's Vector Arena on December 15.