New Zealand’s singles charts took a while to arrive. The first chart based on sales didn’t arrive until 1975.
Wikipedia lists NZ #1 singles starting in mid-1960, but between 1960 and 1975, these were based on:
- 1960-1964: The Lever Hit Parade. Hit songs were selected by the show’s producer
- 1965-March 1966: there was no recorded chart during this time
- March 1966-May 1975: hit songs were determined by votes. The voting was run by the magazine NZ Listener.
New Zealand has always been influenced culturally by the UK and the USA. Over time, the UK influence has faded, while the US influence has grown.
Due to geographic proximity, Australian music is often popular in New Zealand. At times, there’s been a cultural cringe about homegrown music. Nevertheless, a number of NZ singles have topped the charts.
I’m planning to (eventually) cover every NZ #1 single on this blog. As you can see, I’ve barely started:
| Artist | Song title | Rating | Reached #1 | Weeks at #1 | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Ifield | Lovesick Blues | 3 | 10/01/1963 | 1 | 1962 |
| Dave Dobbyn and Herbs | Slice of Heaven | 10 | 05/10/1986 | 8 | 1986 |
| Boyz II Men | End of the Road | 8 | 18/10/1992 | 7 | 1992 |
| Crazy Frog | Axel F | 1 | 18/07/2005 | 11 | 2005 |
| Justin Bieber | Love Yourself | 5 | 07/12/2015 | 10 | 2015 |
| Engelbert Humperdinck | The Last Waltz | 6 | 10/11/1967 | 2 | 1967 |
| Michael Nesmith and The First National Band | Joanne | 9 | 25/07/1970 | 1 | 1970 |
| Craig Scott | Star Crossed Lovers | 3 | 12/06/1970 | 4 | 1970 |
| Vengaboys | Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!! | 1 | 08/08/1999 | 1 | 1999 |
| Chris Brown | With You | 8 | 18/02/2008 | 4 | 2008 |
| Wham! | I’m Your Man | 6 | 16/02/1986 | 1 | 1985 |
| Tony Orlando and Dawn | Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree | 3 | 01/06/1973 | 10 | 1973 |
| DLT (featuring Che Fu) | Chains | 9 | 04/08/1996 | 4 | 1996 |
| Beyoncé and Shakira | Beautiful Liar | 4 | 23/04/2007 | 1 | 2007 |
| ABBA | Fernando | 9 | 04/06/1976 | 9 | 1976 |
| The Rasmus | In The Shadows | 5 | 23/08/2004 | 1 | 2004 |
| The Supremes | Where Did Our Love Go | 9 | 17/09/1964 | 1 | 1964 |
| Taylor Swift | Is It Over Now? | 7 | 06/11/2023 | 1 | 2023 |
| George Baker Selection | Paloma Blanca | 3 | 01/08/1975 | 5 | 1975 |
| Billy Ocean | Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) | 6 | 09/12/1984 | 6 | 1984 |
| Timmy Trumpet and Savage | Freaks | 2 | 17/09/2014 | 5 | 2014 |
| Fugees | Killing Me Softly | 10 | 02/06/1996 | 3 | 1996 |
| Eminem | Just Lose It | 3 | 03/11/2004 | 5 | 2004 |
| All-4-One | I Swear | 1 | 10/07/1994 | 5 | 1994 |
| Paul Hardcastle | 19 | 9 | 07/07/1985 | 9 | 1985 |
| Bobby Vinton | Blue Velvet | 9 | 17/10/1963 | 3 | 1963 |
| Michael Jackson | Black or White | 7 | 24/11/1991 | 8 | 1992 |
| Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo | Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) | 4 | 29/06/2020 | 8 | 2020 |
| Procol Harum | A Whiter Shade of Pale | 10 | 11/08/1967 | 1 | 1967 |
| Gnarls Barkley | Crazy | 10 | 29/05/2006 | 7 | 2006 |
| Bruno Mars | Just The Way You Are | 8 | 04/10/2010 | 2 | 2010 |
| Madonna | Into the Groove | 9 | 11/08/1985 | 6 | 1985 |
| LMFAO | Party Rock Anthem | 9 | 04/04/2011 | 11 | 2011 |
| Gwen Stefani | Wind It Up | 3 | 25/12/2006 | 2 | 2006 |
| Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman | Somethin’ Stupid | 4 | 23/12/2001 | 4 | 2001 |
| Wings | Mull of Kintyre | 6 | 29/01/1978 | 7 | 1977 |
| Boyz II Men | I’ll Make Love To You | 4 | 11/09/1994 | 4 | 1994 |
| Ricky Nelson | Travelin’ Man | 9 | 31/07/1961 | 2 | 1961 |
| Leona Lewis | Bleeding Love | 8 | 17/12/2008 | 5 | 2008 |
| Ritz | Locomotion | 2 | 20/07/1980 | 7 | 1980 |
| George Michael | Faith | 8 | 06/12/1987 | 7 | 1987 |
| Luude featuring Colin Hay | Down Under | 7 | 17/01/2022 | 9 | 2021 |
| The Hi-Revving Tongues | Rain and Tears | 8 | 14/11/1969 | 1 | 1969 |
| Justin Bieber | Yummy | 1 | 20/01/2020 | 2 | 2020 |
| Charles and Eddie | Would I Lie To You? | 10 | 06/12/1992 | 2 | 1992 |
| Chubby Checker | The Twist | 5 | 25/01/1962 | 2 | 1960 |
| Atlas | Crawl | 3 | 12/03/2007 | 7 | 2007 |
| Ini Kamoze | Here Comes the Hotstepper | 9 | 18/12/1994 | 5 | 1994 |
| Pussycat | Mississippi | 1 | 19/03/1976 | 11 | 1975 |
| The Beatles | I Want to Hold Your Hand | 8 | 26/12/1963 | 4 | 1963 |
| Meat Loaf | I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) | 8 | 26/09/1993 | 5 | 1993 |
| Adele | Easy On Me | 4 | 25/10/2021 | 6 | 2021 |
| The Honeycombs | Have I The Right? | 8 | 01/10/1964 | 3 | 1964 |
| Kenny Loggins | Footloose | 8 | 03/06/1984 | 4 | 1984 |
| Macklemore and Ryan Lewis | Thrift Shop | 7 | 12/11/2012 | 6 | 2012 |
| The Dixie Cups | Chapel of Love | 10 | 06/08/1964 | 2 | 1964 |
| Warren G | I Shot the Sheriff | 7 | 13/04/1997 | 2 | 1997 |
| Las Ketchup | The Ketchup Song(Aserejé) | 4 | 17/11/2022 | 10 | 2002 |
| Eminem featuring Rihanna | Love the Way You Lie | 9 | 19/07/2010 | 4 | 2010 |
| Roxette | The Look | 3 | 07/05/1989 | 3 | 1989 |
| Ariana Grande | Positions | 8 | 02/11/2020 | 2 | 2020 |
| Psy | Gangnam Style | 7 | 24/09/2012 | 6 | 2012 |
| Ace of Base | The Sign | 2 | 24/04/1994 | 5 | 1994 |
| Shane | Saint Paul | 3 | 26/09/1969 | 6 | 1969 |
| Huntrix | Golden | 2 | 18/07/2025 | 8 | 2025 |
| Rednex | Cotton Eye Joe | 4 | 05/03/1995 | 4 | 1995 |
| Simon and Garfunkel | Homeward Bound | 9 | 29/04/1966 | 4 | 1966 |
| Flo Rida (featuring T-Pain) | Low | 4 | 28/01/2008 | 3 | 2007 |
| The Beatles | Penny Lane | 10 | 31/03/1967 | 2 | 1967 |
| Tones and I | Dance Monkey | 1 | 11/09/2019 | 11 | 2019 |
| Bob Hudson | The Newcastle Song | 2 | 06/06/1975 | 4 | 1975 |
| Shakira | Whenever, Wherever | 8 | 10/02/2002 | 8 | 2001 |
| Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars | Uptown Funk | 10 | 22/12/2014 | 9 | 2014 |
| Marmalade | Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da | 7 | 28/02/1969 | 1 | 1968 |
Poison by Bardot
New Zealand number-one hits don’t get much worse than this Australian reality-TV show product. Bardot Around the turn of the…
Love Shack by The B-52’s
If you see a faded sign at the side of the road that says fifteen miles to the …. Looove…
Everybody Plays The Fool by Aaron Neville
Every New Zealand #1 single… Aaron Neville Aaron Neville is from New Orleans, of mixed African-American, white, and Choctaw heritage.…
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da by Marmalade
Every New Zealand #1 single… 7 Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da by Marmalade Topped the NZ chart for 1 week from 28 February…
Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
Every New Zealand #1 single… 10 Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars Topped the NZ chart for 9 weeks from 22…
Whenever, Wherever by Shakira
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Whenever, Wherever by Shakira Topped the NZ chart for 8 weeks from 10 February…
The Newcastle Song by Bob Hudson
Every New Zealand #1 single… 2 The Newcastle Song by Bob Hudson Topped the NZ chart for 4 (non-consecutive) weeks…
Dance Monkey by Tones and I
Every New Zealand #1 single… 1 Dance Monkey by Tones and I Topped the NZ chart for 11 (non-consecutive) weeks…
Penny Lane by The Beatles
Every New Zealand #1 single… 10 Penny Lane by The Beatles Topped the NZ chart for 2 weeks from 31…
Low by Flo Rida (featuring T-Pain)
Every New Zealand #1 single… 4 Low by Flo Rida (featuring T-Pain) Topped the NZ chart for 3 weeks from…
Homeward Bound by Simon and Garfunkel
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 Homeward Bound by Simon and Garfunkel Topped the NZ chart for 4 (non-consecutive) weeks…
Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex
Every New Zealand #1 single… 4 Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex Topped the NZ chart for 6 weeks from 5…
Golden by Huntrix
Every New Zealand #1 single… 2 Golden by Huntrix Topped the NZ chart for 8 (non-consecutive) weeks from 18 July…
Saint Paul by Shane
Every New Zealand #1 single… 3 Saint Paul by Shane Topped the NZ chart for 6 weeks from 26 September…
The Sign by Ace of Base
Every New Zealand #1 single… 2 The Sign by Ace of Base Topped the NZ chart for 5 (non-consecutive) weeks…
Gangnam Style by Psy
K-pop is now a well-established cultural phenomenon. But the first South Korean artist to break out in the West was…
Positions by Ariana Grande
In which we learn that Ariana Grande’s mom is an engineer, like the most fierce badass in the world. Ariana…
The Look by Roxette
Don’t bore us, get to the chorus! Roxette Roxette are a Swedish supergroup. Marie Fredriksson was already a solo star…
Love the Way You Lie by Eminem featuring Rihanna
Two superstars duet, portraying two lovers who refuse to leave an abusive relationship. Eminem Missouri-born rapper Eminem broke through to…
The Ketchup Song (Aserejé) by Las Ketchup
‘The Ketchup Song’ was rumoured to have Satanic undertones, as the gibberish Spanish title ‘Aserejé’ sounds like “let’s be heretical”.…
I Shot the Sheriff by Warren G
Bob Marley and Eric Clapton already shot the sheriff (but not the deputy). Now it’s Warren G’s turn. Warren G…
Chapel of Love by The Dixie Cups
Today’s the day we’ll say “I do” and we’ll never be lonely anymore. The Dixie Cups The Dixie Cups are…
Thrift Shop by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
“The minute you’re in a car and you turn to five different radio stations and they’re all playing “Thrift Shop,”…
Footloose by Kenny Loggins
Every New Zealand #1 single… Kenny Loggins Loggins was born in Everett, Washington, 40 km north of Seattle. He started his…
Have I The Right? by The Honeycombs
History remembers The Honeycombs for one song. ‘Have I The Right?’ was a worldwide hit, and female drummer Honey Lantree…
Easy On Me by Adele
‘Easy On Me’ is the lead single from Adele’s fourth album, 30. A gentle piano ballad, it addresses her relationship…
I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) by Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf was 46 years old when he scored his only number-one hit. 1993 Looking back, it’s interesting how conservative…
I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles
Hard song to rate – it’s better than most of its chart competition in 1963, but pales next to The…
Mississippi by Pussycat
Only one thing I did wrong, listened to Mississippi a minute too long. Bigger than Bohemian Rhapsody ‘Mississippi’ is a…
Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze
Ini Kamoze recorded ‘Here Comes the Hotstepper’ in early 1992, but it wasn’t released until late 1994. Ini Kamoze Kamoze…
Crawl by Atlas
After nu-metal and alt-rock were largely extinct from the singles chart, ‘Crawl’ topped the NZ charts for seven weeks in…
The Twist by Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, largely because of a handful of dance-themed…
Would I Lie To You? by Charles and Eddie
At 12, Eddie Chacon was playing in a band with future Metallica bassist Cliff Burton and future Faith No More…
Yummy by Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber has released some top-notch singles. ‘Yummy’ isn’t one of them. Justin Bieber Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber was…
Rain and Tears by The Hi-Revving Tongues
Hi-Revving Tongues topped the New Zealand charts with a cover of Aphrodite’s Child’s ‘Rain and Tears’. New Zealand pop Grows…
Down Under by Luude featuring Colin Hay
Christian Benson (Luude) is one half of the Australian electronic dance music duo Choomba. The other member is his cousin,…
Faith by George Michael
George Michael’s second post-Wham! single was a worldwide smash. Wham! Wham! evolved from a partnership into a vehicle for George…
Locomotion by Ritz
Sometimes it’s embarrassing to be a New Zealander. We’ve held the world record for the lowest test cricket score since…
Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis
According to Gary Barlow, Leona Lewis was probably fifty times better than any other contestant Simon Cowell ever had. Leona…
Travelin’ Man by Ricky Nelson
‘Travelin’ Man’ was played at Seattle SuperSonics home games whenever a visiting player committed a travelling foul. Ricky Nelson Ricky…
I’ll Make Love To You by Boyz II Men
“This is basically just “End of the Road” with new lyrics – and blimmin’ presumptuous lyrics at that.” Boyz II…
Mull of Kintyre by Wings
Want a horse, want a sheep, want a Mull of Kintyre. Paul McCartney Sir Paul McCartney endured a rollercoaster 1970s…
Somethin’ Stupid by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman
New Zealand’s 2001 Christmas number one was a cover of a 1960s chestnut, recorded by a famous actress and a…
Wind It Up by Gwen Stefani
From No Doubt to Rodgers and Hammerstein … Gwen Stefani Gwen Stefani was already an established star before she went…
Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
These two descendants of Motown founder Berry Gordy aren’t actually sorry for party rocking. LMFAO The two members of LMFAO…
Into the Groove by Madonna
One of the 1980s’ most dependable and accomplished hitmakers moved onto the dancefloor. Madonna Madonna was one of the best…
Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars established his popularity in New Zealand with his very first single. Bruno Mars Peter Hernandez was born in…
Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
Producer Danger Mouse and vocalist CeeLo Green create magic on their first single as Gnarls Barkley. Gnarls Barkley Producer Danger…
A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum
They enthralled John Lennon and Paul McCartney with their “Chaucerian wordplay and heavenly Baroque accompaniment”. Procol Harum Gary Brooker sang with The Paramounts,…
Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) by Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo
The siren beats of Pasifika communities in Auckland made it to the top of the American charts, with some help…
Black or White by Michael Jackson
Jackson topped the NZ charts eight times as a solo artist. Surprisingly, six of these were during the 1990s. Michael…
Blue Velvet by Bobby Vinton
Tony Bennett, David Lynch, and Alannah Myles are all involved in the Blue Velvet story. Bobby Vinton Bobby Vinton was…
19 by Paul Hardcastle
Paul Hardcastle was out having fun in pubs and clubs when he was 19, not being shoved into jungles and…
I Swear by All-4-One
An insipid ballad from the bargain-basement Boyz II Men. I Swear The third quarter of 1994 may be the most…
Just Lose It by Eminem
Eminem’s reign started to crack with ‘Just Lose It’. “Chubba-chubba-chubba-chubba-chubba-chubba-chubby/I don’t have any lines to go right here, so chubba-Teletubby.”…
Killing Me Softly by Fugees
The Fugees’ cover of Robert Flack’s cover was a massive, deserved hit worldwide. Killing Me Softly With His Song The…
Freaks by Timmy Trumpet and Savage
The bass and the tweeters make the speakers go to war! Ah, the mighty trumpet brings the freaks out to…
Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) by Billy Ocean
It was a flop as ‘European Queen’ in the UK, but ‘Caribbean Queen’ took off for Billy Ocean in targeted…
Paloma Blanca by George Baker Selection
Easy-listening schmaltz about a poor South American farmer who works hard all day, and then sits by a tree and…
Is It Over Now? by Taylor Swift
Swift is such a megastar that even her outtakes top the NZ singles charts. Taylor Swift It’s a little perverse…
Where Did Our Love Go by The Supremes
‘Where Did Our Love Go’ marked the start of The Supremes’ mid-1960s excellence. The Supremes The Supremes were massively successful…
In The Shadows by The Rasmus
In The Shadows’ broke the record for performance royalties earned overseas by a Finnish composition. Composer Jean Sibelius was the…
Fernando by ABBA
ABBA dominated the NZ charts in 1976, and this non-album single is charming. ABBA 1976 was the year of ABBA…
Beautiful Liar by Beyoncé and Shakira
‘Beautiful Liar’ squanders the powers of two charismatic stars with a mediocre song. Beyoncé and Shakira were two of New…
Chains by DLT (featuring Che Fu)
‘Chains’ is New Zealand hip-hop and soul’s equivalent to Queen and Bowie’s ‘Under Pressure’. Two musicians from different bands jammed…
Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree by Tony Orlando and Dawn
The past is a foreign country. ‘Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree’ sounds irredeemably corny now, but…
I’m Your Man by Wham!
‘I’m Your Man’ was Wham’s only number one hit in New Zealand during the 1980s. ‘Last Christmas’, ‘Careless Whisper’, ‘Wake…
With You by Chris Brown
Before some personal issues emerged, Chris Brown was a promising and charming young R&B star. Chris Brown Chris Brown was…
Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!! by Vengaboys
Maybe I’m no fun. But I have an intolerance to the Eurodance of The Vengaboys. The Vengaboys Danski and Delmundo…
Star Crossed Lovers by Craig Scott
Heartthrob Craig Scott crooned his way to the top of the NZ charts for four weeks in 1970. Craig Scott…
Joanne by Michael Nesmith and The First National Band
The most talented Monkee released New Zealand’s most surprising Christmas #1 in 1970. Michael Nesmith One of the more surprising…
The Last Waltz by Engelbert Humperdinck
Engelbert Humperdinck is best known in New Zealand for his deep cut ‘Ten Guitars’. But he hit the top of…
Love Yourself by Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber dominated the NZ charts during the final quarter of 2015. This Ed Sheeran-written song took the top spot…
End of the Road by Boyz II Men
Philadelphia vocal harmony group Boyz II Men unleashed this epic breakup tearjerker in 1992. Boyz II Men Philadelphia vocal harmony…
Axel F by Crazy Frog
2005 was a particularly dire year for #1 hits in New Zealand, and this reckless amphibian is right at the…
Lovesick Blues by Frank Ifield
In the years between Elvis’s drafting and The Beatles’ emergence, the charts were often a little sedate. Frank Ifield took…
Slice of Heaven by Dave Dobbyn and Herbs
After success with Th’ Dudes and DD Smash, Dave Dobbyn’s reputation took a hit with his involvement in the Queen…
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