50 years of the Official Music Charts in Aotearoa – the Charts go Gold todayMay 2, 2025

The Official Music Charts turns 50 today. Produced by Recorded Music NZ, the Charts reflect the most popular singles and albums in Aotearoa each week. They are the only charts endorsed by the music industry and are compiled according to globally recognised guidelines.

In celebration of the milestone anniversary, Recorded Music has identified 50 iconic Aotearoa music moments from the last five decades. View them here

The list features milestones from the very first #1 single by an NZ artist – Mark Williams with ‘Yesterday Was Just The Beginning Of My Life’ in 1975 – to Pātea Māori Club’s ‘Poi E’ becoming the first #1 to be sung exclusively in te reo Māori in 1984. It covers Lorde’s breakout success with ‘Royals’, Hayley Westenra’s incredible five #1 albums, and the epic reign of Six60 and L.A.B in recent years.

Today also fittingly coincides with the release of a new recording of Sir Dave Dobbyn’s ‘Slice Of Heaven’ (Paradise Version). In 1986 Sir Dave claimed his first #1 with the legendary track and has since spent a remarkable 18 weeks at #1 on the Top 40 Singles Chart across the course of his career.

The Charts’ 50-year history is rich with stories of pikitanga, or ascension – referring to those who demonstrate great potential and are climbing toward success. Today is just the start of Charts celebrations during 2025 – Recorded Music will also be acknowledging a small number of New Zealand’s most successful artists as Aotearoa Charts Icons later in 2025.

Mark Williams, who has recently relaunched his solo career alongside his 20+ years as frontman of Dragon, says:

“It’s an honour to be remembered as the first artist from Aotearoa to go to #1 on the Top 40 Singles Chart, in 1975. 50 years on, I’ve just relaunched my solo career and am loving reconnecting with audiences, who still get excited to hear ‘Yesterday Was Just The Beginning Of My Life’ live. The title now seems so poignant – yesterday really was the beginning of it all!”

Recorded Music Director of Data & Analysis Paul Kennedy says:

"In compiling the Charts, I've been incredibly lucky to have a front row seat to the weekly ebbs and flows of the music zeitgeist for the last 25 years. Whether your favourite songs ever got to #1 or #40, making it easy for anyone to be able to look back at our national tastes and listening habits over half a century is just one of the things that makes the Official Charts a valuable resource.

“This celebration of the myriad exceptional talents and global stars Aotearoa has produced over 50 years is a both a treat and a timely reminder that we have all the ingredients here to deliver loads more artists and hits that the world needs to hear."

Previously named the Official NZ Music Charts, the Charts were renamed the Official Aotearoa Music Charts on 1 November 2024. The name change was launched alongside a new and improved website at aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz and new te reo Māori translations for each Chart title.

The new site features a search function, which allows users to easily navigate its unparalleled 50-year archive. Music fans can now search up key stats for their favourite songs and albums, find out what was #1 on their birthday in any given year, and access an artist’s entire Charts history.

The name change brought the Official Charts brand in line with the Aotearoa Music Awards, which was renamed from the New Zealand Music Awards in 2020. The Official Aotearoa Music Charts and Aotearoa Music Awards are Recorded Music’s flagship properties and serve as platforms to promote and celebrate recording artists and their recordings in Aotearoa.

As well as 50 years of the Official Charts, 2025 marks 60 years of the Music Awards in Aotearoa, an anniversary which will be celebrated at the AMA event on Thursday 29 May, closing out Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa | New Zealand Music Month in style. Music Month also celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025.

Recorded Music NZ CEO Jo Oliver says:

“Reaching #1 in the Official Charts and being an Aotearoa Music Awards finalist are pinnacle achievements for New Zealand artists. The Charts and AMA are key touchstones in our musical heritage and have evolved over the years to reflect our unique cultural identity.

It is our privilege this year to be marking an incredible 50 years of the Official Charts and 60 years of the Music Awards in Aotearoa. Throughout 2025 we will be recognising the achievements of artists and waiata of the past and present; and supporting the creation of new moments to celebrate our musical icons and inspire the next generation of artists.”

For more about the history of The Official Aotearoa Music Charts, visit AudioCulture