Refreshed Chart Rules – What's ChangedOctober 1, 2025

The Official Aotearoa Music Chart Rules are regularly refreshed, to better reflect the needs of artists and their teams in the current market. Recently, we’ve made some minor updates to improve clarity, relevance, and usability – without changing the core framework. Here’s what’s new:

Key changes:

Pre-sales at official events

Physical products sold at pre-approved events (e.g. listening parties or release gigs) on the Thursday before a title’s official Friday release can now be counted in the chart week aligned with the release date.

To seek pre-approval for Thursday release gig or listening party sales please email data@recordedmusic.co.nz

Delayed deliveries

If physical products are delayed but paid for by customers before the end of the first chart week (Thursday 11:59pm), those sales may still be counted in that week – meaning artists won’t be penalised in the Charts due to things like manufacturing or shipping delays beyond their control.

Alongside these changes we have also created a digital version of the Venue Settlement Form which artists and their teams can use to report physical sales at live events. Sales must be reported by 11am each Friday to be included in that week’s Charts.

If you wish to submit a form by hand you can still use this version of the form and email it to data@recordedmusic.co.nz by the same deadline.

Additional updates:

Easier navigation

A new clickable summary section helps users quickly find the rules most relevant to them.

Catalogue re-entry extended

Catalogue products (including qualifying expanded albums) can now re-enter the main charts for up to 13 weeks (previously 10). The 18-month eligibility clock does not reset with re-entry.

Aotearoa Charts eligibility defined – no change in rule application

We’ve included a definition of what qualifies as a New Zealand title or artist, which aligns closely with Aotearoa Music Awards terms and conditions, and historical decisions.

Compilation rules clarified – no change in rule application

While the Compilations Chart was previously retired, the Rules now clearly distinguish that certain types of multi-artist releases remain eligible for the Album Charts e.g.

• Newly recorded multi-artist projects e.g. Aotearoa Songbook or official soundtracks like Moana are eligible for inclusion in the Album Charts
• Compilations of previously released tracks from multiple artists e.g. Now That’s What I Call Music are not eligible

Formats & data providers – no change in rule application

We’ve added a link to approved formats and data sources to make the Rules document shorter and clarify which platforms contribute to chart data.

View the Rules in Full