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New Zealand #1 Hits

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:

i) 1960-1964: The Lever Hit Parade. Hit songs were selected by the show’s producer
ii) 1965-March 1966: there was no recorded chart during this time
iii) 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, I suspect the UK influence has faded and 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:

ArtistSong titleRatingReached #1
Weeks at #1Year
Frank IfieldLovesick Blues310/01/196311962
Dave Dobbyn and HerbsSlice of Heaven1005/10/198681986
Boyz II MenEnd of the Road818/10/199271992
Crazy FrogAxel F118/07/2005112005
Justin BieberLove Yourself507/12/2015102015
Engelbert HumperdinckThe Last Waltz610/11/196721967
Michael Nesmith and The First National BandJoanne925/07/197011970
Craig ScottStar Crossed Lovers312/06/197041970
VengaboysBoom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!108/08/199911999
Chris BrownWith You818/02/200842008
Wham!I’m Your Man 616/02/198611986
Tony Orlando and DawnTie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree3

01/06/1973101973
DLT (featuring Che Fu)Chains904/08/199641996
Beyoncé and ShakiraBeautiful Liar423/04/200712007
ABBAFernando904/06/197691976
The RasmusIn The Shadows523/08/200412004
The SupremesWhere Did Our Love Go917/09/196411964
Taylor SwiftIs It Over Now?806/11/202312023
George Baker SelectionPaloma Blanca301/08/197551975
Billy OceanCaribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)609/12/198461984
Timmy Trumpet and SavageFreaks217/09/201452014
FugeesKilling Me Softly1002/06/199631996
EminemJust Lose It303/11/200452004
All-4-OneI Swear110/07/199451994
Paul Hardcastle19907/07/19859
1985
Bobby VintonBlue Velvet917/10/196331963
Michael JacksonBlack or White724/11/199281992
Jawsh 685 and Jason DeruloSavage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)429/06/202082020
Procol HarumA Whiter Shade of Pale1011/08/196711967
Gnarls BarkleyCrazy1029/05/200672006
Bruno MarsJust The Way You Are804/10/201022010
MadonnaInto the Groove911/08/198561985
LMFAOParty Rock Anthem504/04/2011112011
Gwen StefaniWind It Up325/12/200622006
Robbie Williams and Nicole KidmanSomethin’ Stupid423/12/20014
2001
WingsMull of Kintyre629/01/197871978
Boyz II MenI’ll Make Love To You411/09/199441994
Ricky NelsonTravelin’ Man931/07/196121961
Leona LewisBleeding Love817/12/200852008
RitzLocomotion220/07/198071980

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