New Zealand, which sits in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, attracts global attention for its stunning natural beauty and diverse cultural heritage. During the mid-1980s New Zealand adopted an inclusive immigration policy to accept people from multiple ethnicities. The transformation of the immigration policy resulted in a diverse, multicultural community as Asian migrants brought fresh culinary traditions and cultural customs, which enriched New Zealand’s societal composition.
The country’s musical culture presents a diverse range of influences from multiple traditions. Māori music forms the base of traditional sound with its distinctive instruments and chanting techniques. During the 19th century, European settlers brought more musical styles to New Zealand, and in the 20th century, blues, jazz, country rock and roll, reggae, and hip hop entered New Zealand’s music landscape.
Starting in the 1960s, New Zealand rock bands began merging various musical influences, which helped them produce albums that connected with both national and international audiences. These five rock bands from New Zealand deserve your attention.
1. Hello Sailor
The music group Hello Sailor began its journey in 1975 within Auckland’s dynamic musical environment. The group, which included Graham Brazier (vocals/saxophone), Dave McArtney (vocals/guitar), and Harry Lyon (vocals/guitar), created a signature sound by combining rock elements with reggae influences. They released their debut album in 1977, and it included the popular track “Gutter Black,” which would later serve as the theme song for Outrageous Fortune.
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2. Split Enz
Tim Finn and Phil Judd founded Split Enz in 1972 to start their music careers. The band’s unique art-rock sound and dramatic performances led to worldwide fame following the release of their 1980 album True Colours. Neil Finn composed the album’s standout track, “I Got You,” which achieved global success. Split Enz broke up in 1984. Since that time, the band has staged several brief reunions.
3. Crowded House
Neil Finn formed Crowded House in 1985 following Split Enz’s breakup. Paul Hester played drums and Nick Seymour handled bass duties within the band’s formation. The debut album of Crowded House introduced their iconic track “Don’t Dream It’s Over” in 1986, which gained international success.
The band’s combination of melodic pop-rock music and meaningful lyrics has attracted a wide-reaching international audience. Throughout their career the band released multiple successful albums that produced enduring hits such as “Something So Strong” and “Weather With You.”
4. Shihad
Since their formation in Wellington in 1988, Shihad has maintained a powerful presence in New Zealand’s rock music landscape for more than thirty years. The band includes Jon Toogood who handles vocals and guitar along with Phil Knight on guitar and Tom Larkin on drums while Karl Kippenberger plays bass.
The band stands out for their powerful music and energetic concerts and they have produced multiple hit albums such as The General Electric (1999) and FVEY (2014). Through their tireless dedication and relentless energy towards their music, they have established themselves as one of New Zealand’s longest-lasting rock groups.
5. The Datsuns
The Datsuns emerged onto the global music stage during the early 2000s after originating from Cambridge. The band was formed in 1998 with Dolf de Borst as vocalist/bassist and Christian Livingstone and Phil Somervell as guitarists, while Ben Cole played the drums.
The Datsuns introduced their raw garage rock sound to the world with their self-titled debut album released in 2002 which featured the popular track “Harmonic Generator”. The Datsuns have gained a dedicated fan base throughout New Zealand and other countries because of their dynamic performances and old-school rock influences.
