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:
| 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 |
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
Every New Zealand #1 single… 7 Gangnam Style by Psy Topped the NZ chart for 6 (non-consecutive) weeks from 24…
Positions by Ariana Grande
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Positions by Ariana Grande Topped the NZ chart for 2 weeks from 2 November…
The Look by Roxette
Every New Zealand #1 single… 3 The Look by Roxette Topped the NZ chart for 3 (non-consecutive) weeks from 7…
Love the Way You Lie by Eminem featuring Rihanna
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 Love the Way You Lie by Eminem featuring Rihanna Topped the NZ chart for…
The Ketchup Song(Aserejé) by Las Ketchup
Every New Zealand #1 single… 4 The Ketchup Song (Aserejé) by Las Ketchup Topped the NZ chart for 10 weeks…
I Shot the Sheriff by Warren G
Every New Zealand #1 single… 7 I Shot the Sheriff by Warren G Topped the NZ chart for 2 weeks…
Chapel of Love by The Dixie Cups
Every New Zealand #1 single… 10 Chapel of Love by The Dixie Cups Topped the NZ chart for 2 weeks…
Thrift Shop by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Every New Zealand #1 single… 7 Thrift Shop by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Topped the NZ chart for 6 weeks…
Footloose by Kenny Loggins
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Footloose by Kenny Loggins Topped the NZ chart for 4 weeks from 3 June…
Have I The Right? by The Honeycombs
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Have I The Right? by The Honeycombs Topped the NZ chart for 3 weeks…
Easy On Me by Adele
Every New Zealand #1 single… 4 Easy on Me by Adele Topped the NZ chart for 6 (non-consecutive) weeks from…
I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) by Meat Loaf
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) by Meat Loaf Topped…
I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles Topped the NZ chart for…
Mississippi by Pussycat
Every New Zealand #1 single… 1 Mississippi by Pussycat Topped the NZ chart for 11 weeks from 19 March 1976…
Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze Topped the NZ chart for 5 non-consecutive…
Crawl by Atlas
Every New Zealand #1 single… 3 Crawl by Atlas Topped the NZ chart for 7 weeks from 12 March 2007…
The Twist by Chubby Checker
Every New Zealand #1 single… 5 The Twist by Chubby Checker Topped the NZ chart for 2 weeks from 25…
Would I Lie To You? by Charles and Eddie
Every New Zealand #1 single… 10 Would I Lie To You? by Charles and Eddie Topped the NZ chart for…
Yummy by Justin Bieber
Every New Zealand #1 single… 1 Yummy by Justin Bieber Topped the NZ chart for 2 weeks from 20 January…
Rain and Tears by The Hi-Revving Tongues
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Rain and Tears by The Hi-Revving Tongues Topped the NZ chart from 14 November…
Down Under by Luude featuring Colin Hay
Every New Zealand #1 single… 7 Down Under by Luude featuring Colin Hay Topped the NZ chart from 17 January…
Faith by George Michael
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Faith by George Michael Topped the NZ chart: from 6 December 1987 for 7…
Locomotion by Ritz
Every New Zealand #1 single… 2 Locomotion by Ritz Topped the NZ chart: from 20 July 1980 for 7 non-consecutive…
Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis Topped the NZ chart: from 17 December 2007 for…
Travelin’ Man by Ricky Nelson
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 Travelin’ Man by Ricky Nelson Topped the NZ chart: from 31 July 1961 for…
I’ll Make Love To You by Boyz II Men
Every New Zealand #1 single… 4 I’ll Make Love To You by Boyz II Men Topped the NZ chart: from…
Mull of Kintyre by Wings
Every New Zealand #1 single… 6 Mull of Kintyre by Wings Topped the NZ chart: for 7 weeks from 29…
Somethin’ Stupid by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman
4 Somethin’ Stupid by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman Topped the NZ chart: for 4 weeks from 23 December 2001.…
Wind It Up by Gwen Stefani
3 Wind It Up by Gwen Stefani Topped the NZ chart: for 2 weeks from 25 December 2006. Gwen Stefani…
Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
9 Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO (featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock) Topped the NZ chart: for 11 weeks from 4…
Into the Groove by Madonna
9 Into the Groove by Madonna Topped the NZ chart: for 6 weeks from 11 August 1985. Madonna was one…
Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars Topped the NZ chart: for 2…
Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
Every New Zealand #1 single… 10 Crazy by Gnarls Barkley Topped the NZ chart: for 7 weeks from 29 May…
A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum
Every New Zealand #1 single… 10 A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum Topped the NZ chart: for 1…
Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) by Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo
Every New Zealand #1 single… 4 Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) Topped the NZ chart: for 8 weeks from…
Black or White by Michael Jackson
Every New Zealand #1 single… 7 Black or White by Michael Jackson Topped the NZ chart: for 8 weeks from…
Blue Velvet by Bobby Vinton
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 Blue Velvet by Bobby Vinton Topped the NZ chart: for 3 weeks from 17…
19 by Paul Hardcastle
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 19 by Paul Hardcastle Topped the NZ chart: for 5 weeks from 7 July…
I Swear by All-4-One
Every New Zealand #1 single… 1 I Swear by All-4-One Topped the NZ chart: from 10 July 1994 for five…
Just Lose It by Eminem
Every New Zealand #1 single… 3 Just Lose It by Eminem Topped the NZ chart: from 5 November 2004 for…
Killing Me Softly by Fugees
Every New Zealand #1 single… 10 Killing Me Softly by Fugees Topped the NZ chart: from 2 June 1996 for…
Freaks by Timmy Trumpet and Savage
Every New Zealand #1 single… 2 Freaks by Timmy Trumpet and Savage Topped the NZ chart: from 17 November 2014…
Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) by Billy Ocean
Every New Zealand #1 single… 6 Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) by Billy Ocean Topped the NZ…
Paloma Blanca by George Baker Selection
Every New Zealand #1 single… 3 Paloma Blanca by George Baker Selection Topped the NZ chart: from 1 August 1975…
Is It Over Now? by Taylor Swift
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Is It Over Now? Topped the NZ chart: from 6 November 2023 for 1…
Where Did Our Love Go by The Supremes
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 Where Did Our Love Go Topped the NZ chart: for 1 week from 17…
In The Shadows by The Rasmus
Every New Zealand #1 single… 5 In the Shadows Topped the NZ chart: for 1 week from 23 August 2004.…
Fernando by ABBA
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 Fernando Topped the NZ chart: from 4 June 1976 for 9 weeks 1976 was…
Beautiful Liar by Beyoncé and Shakira
Every New Zealand #1 single… 4 Beautiful Liar Topped the NZ chart: from 23 April 2007 for 1 week Beyoncé…
Chains by DLT (featuring Che Fu)
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 Chains Topped the NZ chart: from 4 August 1996 for 5 weeks ‘Chains’ is…
Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree by Tony Orlando and Dawn
Every New Zealand #1 single… 3 Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree Topped the NZ chart: from…
I’m Your Man by Wham!
Every New Zealand #1 single… 6 I’m Your Man Topped the NZ chart: from 16 February 1986 for 1 week…
With You by Chris Brown
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 With You Topped the NZ chart: from 18 February 2008 for 4 weeks Chris…
Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!! by Vengaboys
Every New Zealand #1 single… 1 Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!! Topped the NZ chart: from 8 August 1999 for 1…
Star Crossed Lovers by Craig Scott
Every New Zealand #1 single… 3 Star Crossed Lovers Topped the NZ chart: from 12 June 1970 for 4 weeks…
Joanne by Michael Nesmith and The First National Band
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 Joanne Topped the NZ chart: from 25 December 1970 for 1 week. One of…
The Last Waltz by Engelbert Humperdinck
Every New Zealand #1 single… 6 The Last Waltz Topped the NZ chart: from 10 November 2015 for 2 weeks.…
Love Yourself by Justin Bieber
Every New Zealand #1 single… 5 Love Yourself by Justin Bieber Topped the NZ chart: from 7 December 2015 for…
End of the Road by Boyz II Men
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 End of the Road by BOYZ II MEN Topped the NZ chart: from 18…
Axel F by Crazy Frog
Every New Zealand #1 single… 1 Axel F by Crazy Frog Topped the NZ chart: from 18 July 2005 for…
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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