New Zealand's music scene is a rich tapestry that defies its size. It's a land of solo artists, groups, and a treasure trove of amazing songs waiting to be discovered.
While we'd never be able to make a comprehensive list of every Kiwi musician ever, we should have hopefully chosen some of your favourites in this wide-ranging list.
We've arranged them in alphabetical order, respecting each artist's unique contribution. But we're not the only ones with a say. If you feel we've missed someone, we'd love to hear from you in the comments.
Anika Moa
Anika Moa is one of New Zealand's best singers. She was born in Auckland and grew up in Christchurch.
As a teenager, she was given a deal with Warner Music New Zealand. Her talent also caught the attention of American record labels, and her debut album was produced and recorded thanks to a deal she had with Atlantic Records in the US.
She's famous for songs like “Youthful”, “Good in My Head”, “In the Morning”, “Dreams in My Head”, and Running Through the Fire (Storm)”.
Her music is typically a blend of folk, pop, rock, and traditional Maori music.
Bic Runga
Bic Runga was born in Christchurch. Her father is Maori, and her mother is Malaysian Chinese. Her multicultural background and musical family influence her music.
She initially started playing the drums in music but later learned how to play the guitar and piano.
Runga is most famous for her melodies, lyrics, and memorable voice.
If you'd like to get started with some of her music, we recommend listening to songs like “Sway”, “Drive”, “Listening for the Weather”, and “Get Some Sleep”.
Brooke Fraser
Brooke Fraser is a singer-songwriter from Wellington and the daughter of the rugby player Bernie Fraser.
She moved to Auckland when she was 18 to start her music career, signed a record deal with Sony Music New Zealand, and recorded her debut album "What to Do with Daylight" in 2003. The album went seven times platinum.
To start listening to Brooke Fraser's music, you could start with some of her most famous songs like “Something in the Water”, “Deciphering Me”, “Shadowfeet”, and “Albertine”.
Crowded House
Even though Crowded House was formed in Melbourne, its founder, New Zealander Neill Finn, formerly of the Kiwi band Split Enz, means that people in New Zealand and Australia claim the band as their own.
In later lineups, many members of the Finn family, including Neil's brother Tim, Finn, and Neil's sons Lia,m, and Elroy, also played with the band.
Crowded House's biggest hit is easily “Don't Dream It's Over”, one of New Zealand's most famous songs, but they've also had hits like “Something So Strong” and “Weather With You”.
Dave Dobbyn
This singer-songwriter from Auckland has found success as a member of the bands Th' Dudes and DD Smash and as a solo artist.
With Th' Dudes, you might want to try songs like "Be Mine Tonight" or "Bliss".
After Th' Dudes, Dobbyn formed the band DD Smash, which was also successful. Consider listening to "Outlook for Thursday" and "Whaling."
Dobbyn's solo career came into its own in the 1980s, and he firmly established himself as one of New Zealand's most famous artists.
If you'd like to try out some of his solo work, consider "Slice of Heaven", "Loyal", "Beside You", and "Magic What She Do".
Fat Freddy's Drop
Fat Freddy's Drop is a band from Wellington that plays a combination of reggae, soul, jazz, and funk.
They're one of New Zealand's most successful bands. They are famous for their live performances, which include a lot of improvisation. Songs typically last much longer than they do on the album.
Their music features deep basslines, hypnotic grooves, soulful vocals, and long instrumental sections.
If you'd like to hear their music for yourself, we recommend seeing them live. However, you can also listen to recordings like "Wandering Eye", "Ernie", and "Midnight Marauders".
Flight of the Conchords
Flight of the Conchords is a musical comedy duo that features Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement.
The group was founded while both members were at Victoria University of Wellington and performed live shows.
The duo were given a BBC radio series in 2004, introducing Flight of the Conchords to a larger audience. After the radio series, the duo were given an HBO television series in 2007. The TV show ran for two seasons and showed a fictionalised version of the band struggling to make it in New York.
The TV show often integrated the band's songs into the show and made the band globally famous.
Kimbra
The singer Kimbra hails from Hamilton. Her music mixes pop, art pop, R&B, soul, jazz, funk, and electronic music with theatrical performances.
International audiences will likely best know her for collaborating on Gotye's “Somebody That I Used to Know”, but she has plenty of her own music you can listen to.
If you'd like to hear some of it, we recommend starting with tracks like "Settle Down", "Cameo Lover", "90s Music", "Miracle", "Top of the World", or "Everybody Knows".
L.A.B.
L.A.B. (short for 'Live and Band') is a group founded by the Kora brothers, Brad and Stuart. Their music is a fusion of reggae, rock, soul, funk, and blues, a unique blend that's sure to pique your interest.
With popular songs like "In the Air", "Controller", and "Why Oh Why", L.A.B. is a band to listen to if you like laid-back rhythms, deep basslines, and funky, soulful grooves.
Lorde
Lorde is one of New Zealand's most famous musicians in the 21st century. Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor was born in Devonport, Auckland, and was musically talented from a young age.
She was just 15 when she wrote her debut single, "Royals", and 16 when she topped the charts. In fact, she was the youngest artist to reach number 1 in the US in 25 years with the song. She has since won numerous awards and accolades for her music.
If you'd like to listen to some of her music, we recommend songs like "Team", "Tennis Court", "Green Light", and "Liability", too!
Shapeshifter
Shapeshifter is a New Zealand band that plays drum and bass music. The band was formed in 1999 in Christchurch and is one of the country's most popular electronic music acts.
The band quickly became popular in Christchurch for electrifying live performances that featured live instrumentation rather than pre-recorded tracks.
While drum and bass often use electronic beats, Shapeshifter is a full band that plays with live musicians, allowing them to blend elements from genres like soul, funk, jazz, rock, and reggae into drum and bass.
If you'd like to hear some of their music, consider listening to “In Colour”, “Electric Dream”, “Stars”, “Monarch”, or “One”.
Six60
Six60 is a band from Dunedin. The name comes from the address 660 Castle Street, where the band's members lived during their time at university.
Though Six60 wasn't initially a serious project, the band's popularity in the local Dunedin music scene changed that.
The band plays radio-friendly music that combines rock, reggae, pop, and electronic music with tracks like "Don't Forget Your Roots", "Forever", and "White Lines", a good starting point for new listeners.
Split Enz
Split Enz was Tim Finn's band before Crowded House, and it's one of New Zealand's most famous bands.
The band was active during the 1970s and 1980s with their blend of art rock, new wave, and pop music. They were also famous for their costumes and makeup while playing famous songs like “I Got You”, “Message to My Girl”, and “Six Months in a Leaky Boat”.
Stan Walker
Stan Walker was born in Melbourne, Australia, but grew up in Tauranga, New Zealand.
His music combines influences from gospel, R&B, and soul music, and he became famous after appearing on Australian Idol in 2009.
His performances of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and Prince's "Purple Rain" were well-received, and he won the competition.
With his Australian Idol victory, he was given a recording contract with Sony Music Australia, recording his debut studio album "Introducing Stan Walker" and releasing the hugely successful song "Black Box" shortly before the album dropped.
The Naked and Famous
Last but not least, we have The Naked and Famous. This indie electronic band was formed in 2007 in Auckland and became famous in 2010 with its debut single, "Young Blood".
"Young Blood" went to number one on the New Zealand Single Charts, but if you're interested in their music, you could also try listening to songs like "Punching in a Dream" and "Girls Like You."
Of course, these aren't New Zealand's only musicians, and we can't name them all. Still, if you have any suggestions or recommendations, please let us know in the comments.
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Perhaps you ought to also mention Chris Knox , including his bands : ‘the Enemy’ , ‘Toy Love’ , ‘Tall Dwarfs’ .
Probably also mention Mi-Sex , the Swingers , Blam Blam Blam , Dragon , Hello Sailor , Citizen Band , the Gordons/ Bailter Space .