With a population of 5 million, New Zealand ranks 125th. However, the country punches well above its weight in environmentalism and conservation, sports, film and media, education, and quality of life.
Music is another area where Kiwis excel, creating far more outstanding artists per capita than many countries worldwide. Some of these artists play solo, but others play in groups.
Today, we'll look at New Zealand's finest bands, each offering a unique and diverse musical style. From electro-pop to rock, from reggae to funk, New Zealand's music scene has something for everyone. We've listed them here in alphabetical order.
Broods
Technically a duo, Broods consists of Georgia Josiena Nott and her older brother Caleb Allan Joseph Nott.
They perform ethereal and emotive electro-pop with lush production, introspective lyrics, and Georgia's distinctive and haunting vocals.
The group was formed in 2013 in Nelson, New Zealand. However, as siblings, Georgia and Caleb performed together and with their family often growing up.
Their debut EP, "Broods", was released in January 2014 and included their hit single "Bridges". They would debut their full-length album "Evergreen" in August of that year.
The album debuted at number one in the New Zealand Albums Charts.
Their most famous songs include the tracks “Bridges”, “Mother & Father”, “Free”, and “Heartlines”.
Crowded House
The band Crowded House originated in Melbourne, Australia, but is one of the groups often claimed by Australia and New Zealand. This is because the band's founding members included the New Zealander Neil Finn, who was previously in the band Split Enz, another of New Zealand's biggest musical acts.
Later, the band would also include Finn's brother and another former Split Enz member, Tim Finn, further shifting the band's Kiwi-Aussie makeup. Only Neil Finn and Nick Seymour (an Australian) have been permanent band members.
The current lineup includes Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, Neil's sons Liam Finn and Elroy Finn, and the American keyboardist Mitchell Froom.
The band is famous for its music, which blends rock, pop, and alternative rock with melodic songwriting and rich harmonies.
Their most famous songs include "Don't Dream It's Over", "Something So Strong",and "Weather with You".
Evermore
Evermore is a rock band from Feilding, New Zealand. The Hume brothers (Jon, Peter, and Dann) formed the band in the late 1990s. For a few years, they self-released EPs, but their big break came in 2003 with the release of their debut album, "Dreams".
This album was recorded at their home studio and included rock, pop, and alternative music elements.
Their most famous songs include “It's Too Late”, “Light Surrounding You”, and “Running”.
Fat Freddy's Drop
Fat Freddy's Drop is a seven-piece group from Wellington, New Zealand. The group blends dub, reggae, soul, jazz, and funk and has made a name for itself of New Zealand's most successful bands.
They're famous for their energetic live performances, which feature deep basslines, hypnotic grooves, soulful vocals, and lengthy instrumental sections. These performances often stretch out the songs into longer and more improvisational performances than those on their studio albums.
Fat Freddy's Drop also helped launch the career of Hollie Smith, one of New Zealand's best singers, when they collaborated together on the track "Hope".
Their most famous songs include “Wandering Eye”, “Ernie”, and “Midnight Marauders”.
Hello Sailor
Hello Sailor is a band from Auckland, New Zealand. Formed in 1975, Hello Sailor was one of the major contributors to New Zealand's rock scene in the 1970s and 1980s.
Hello Sailor mixes rock and roll elements with reggae and punk to create a distinctive sound with catchy guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and charismatic vocals.
The band found success with their debut album “Hello Sailor” in 1977, which featured some of the bands most famous songs like “Gutter Black”, “Blue Lady”, and “Lyin' in the Sand”.
L.A.B.
L.A.B. is a hugely successful group from New Zealand that mixes reggae, rock, soul, funk, and blues.
L.A.B. ("Live and Band") was formed in 2016 by two brothers, Brad and Stuart Kora, formerly of another New Zealand band, Kora.
The band features laid-back rhythms and deep basslines typical of reggae and dub with the grooves you'd get from funk and soul music. Add this to some rock and blues guitar riffs and solos, and there you have L.A.B.'s sound.
Their most famous songs include “In the Air”, “Controller”, and “Why Oh Why”.
Opshop
Opshop is an Auckland rock band that became popular in the mid-2000s. Named after New Zealand's op shops, its sound includes pop, acoustic, and melodic rock, with resonant songs featuring powerful, anthemic choruses.
Their most famous songs include “Maybe”, “One Day”, and “No Ordinary Thing”.
Salmonella Dub
Salmonella Dub was formed in the early 1990s and became a pioneer in New Zealand's dub and electronic music scene.
The band's sound includes dub, reggae, electronic drum and bass, and rock music.
Their most famous songs include “For the Love of It”, “Push On Thru”, and “Platetectonics (Fartyboom)”.
Shihad
Shihad is a rock band formed in Wellington in 1988 by high school friends Jon Toogood, Tom Larkin, Phil Knight, and Geoff Duncan. Duncan was later replaced by Karl Kippenberger in 1991.
Shihad's music includes heavy guitar riffs, energetic rhythms, melodic hooks, and socially conscious lyrics.
The band's name was inspired by the word “jihad”, but over the years, the band have distanced themselves from this connotation, even changing their name to Pacifier between 2002 and 2004.
Their most famous songs include “Home Again”, “Pacifier”, and “The General Electric”.
Six60
Six60, one of New Zealand's most popular and successful contemporary bands, has not only enjoyed commercial success in their home country but also made a mark on the global music scene.
The band was formed in 2008 by university friends living at 660 Castle Street in Dunedin, hence the name Six60.
Though initially just a casual project while at university, the band became popular in the local student scene, which helped launch their careers.
Six60 plays a blend of rock, reggae, pop, and electronic music. Their catchy, radio-friendly music has helped them find success.
Their most popular songs include “Don't Forget Your Roots”, “Forever”, and “White Lines”.
Split Enz
We've already mentioned Split Enz when discussing Tim Finn of Crowded House. Split Enz is one of New Zealand's most iconic and influential bands.
The band was active during the 1970s and 1980s, blending art rock, new wave, and pop music. New Zealanders remember Split Enz as much for its style as for its music, with band members wearing theatrical costumes and makeup.
Their most famous songs include “I Got You”, “Message to My Girl”, and “Six Months in a Leaky Boat”.
Supergroove
Supergroove was formed in Auckland by a group of high school friends from Selwyn College. They were initially called "Low Down Dirty Blues Band" and played blues and rock. However, as the band evolved and embraced more musical genres, the name changed to Supergroove.
Supergroove mixes funk, rock, hip-hop, pop, and rap music. Their songs include tight, funky rhythms, a brass section, and a combination of rap and sung vocals.
Their most famous songs include "Home Again", one of the best songs from New Zealand, “Can't Get Enough”, “Sitting Inside My Head”, and “You Gotta Know”.
The Chills
The Chills are an indie rock band from Dunedin, and one of the bands responsible for what became known as the "Dunedin Sound".
The Chills were formed in the 1980s by Martin Phillipps, the band's only constant member. Their lo-fi, DIY sound with jangly, melodic guitars was influenced by punk, post-punk, and 1960s pop music.
Their most popular songs include “Pink Frost”, “Heavenly Pop Hit”, and “I Love My Leather Jacket”.
The Feelers
The Feelers are a rock band from Christchurch that rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The band's mix of classic rock, alternative rock, and pop helped them develop a local following in Christchurch before finding success with their debut album, "Supersystem".
The music features catchy melodies, powerful choruses, a solid rock sound, and lyrical themes that resonate with a large audience.
The Feelers' most famous songs include “Pressure Man”, “Venus”, and “Communicate”.
The Naked and Famous
The Naked and Famous is an Auckland band that was formed in 2007. They're famous for their indie electronic sound.
The band's first two EPs in 2008 “This Machine” and “No Light” generated some buzz around the band, but it was the debut single “Young Blood” in 2010 that became a massive hit, debuting at number one on the New Zealand Single Charts.
Their music includes synths, electronic beats, dual vocals, and emotionally charged lyrics.
The Naked and Famous' most famous songs include “Young Blood”, “Punching in a Dream”, and “Girls Like You”.
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