Recommended artists from New Zealand: Popular international singers and singer-songwriters
New Zealand is a lesser-known hotspot for great music.
That’s because many New Zealand artists go abroad and make a name for themselves.
As a fellow island nation with almost no time difference despite being in opposite hemispheres, and often called a neighbor by longitude, it’s interesting to listen to the music of this country.
Recommended artists from New Zealand. Popular international singers and singer-songwriters (1–10)
The FighterKeith Urban ft. Carrie Underwood
A jazzy country love song infused with disco elements.
It’s a collaboration between New Zealand-born country musician Keith Urban and American country musician Carrie Underwood.
The song was performed at the 2017 Grammy Awards.
Supalonely ft. Gus DappertonBENEE
Emerging from New Zealand’s music scene, BENEE is an artist who weaves buoyant rhythms with an introspective worldview, grounded in alternative pop.
Since her 2017 debut, she gained domestic popularity with Soaked, and the follow-up Supalonely ft.
Gus Dapperton exploded into a global phenomenon through social media.
Her talent is well proven—she swept four awards at the 2019 NZ Music Awards—and her momentum hasn’t slowed, contributing the official song for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, among other achievements.
She’s perfect for listeners who crave genre-blurring pop and lyrics that reflect the inner self.
Song of the Lonely MountainNeil Finn
A song by Neil Finn, a New Zealand singer-songwriter also known as the frontman of Crowded House.
He has won many awards at the New Zealand Music Awards.
This song was used in the end credits of the 2012 film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
All She WroteSIX60
Six60 is a New Zealand band formed by friends from their university days.
Their music masterfully weaves together a rich mix of genres—reggae, soul, and drum and bass—embodying the very essence of Kiwi fusion sound.
Their debut album, Six60, released in 2011, became a phenomenal hit domestically, and signature tracks like “Don’t Forget Your Roots” have since become national anthems.
In addition to numerous wins at the NZ Music Awards, their popularity is undeniable, with feats like selling out a 50,000-capacity stadium in April 2021.
They also show respect for Māori culture, with some of their songs used in traditional ceremonies.
If you’re seeking grand, soulful music, their sound is a must-listen.
Wandering EyeFat Freddy’s Drop
Fat Freddy’s Drop, a miraculous seven-piece born in the Southern Hemisphere’s paradise of New Zealand.
Building on dub and reggae, they blend in soul, jazz, and techno to create their signature “hi-tech soul.” Since forming in 1999, they’ve honed songs through a live, improv-driven approach.
Their 2005 album Based on a True Story, released on an independent label, debuted at No.
1 on the New Zealand charts and includes their signature track “Wandering Eye.” Showered with honors including Album of the Year, their music captivates with live heat and meticulous groove—perfect for listeners seeking a sound that transcends genre boundaries.
DowntimeKidz In Space
Kids of 88, a pop/hip-hop unit from New Zealand that debuted with the unique concept of having come from outer space, deliver a catchy sound that fuses hip house and dance-pop.
Downtime, included on their August 2009 EP Episode 001: Chasing Hayley, became a hit and earned gold certification in their home country.
Their early performances in spacesuits drew attention, and they later evolved into a full band setup for more dynamic live shows.
If you enjoy the playful hip-hop of N.
E.
R.
D.
or party-ready tunes like The Black Eyed Peas, they’re a perfect fit.
FreeBroods
A synth-pop anthem about the freedom to express oneself.
It was released as a digital download in 2016 by Blues, a New Zealand indie pop duo.
The track became a hit in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, and has been certified Gold.