Recommended artists from New Zealand: Popular international singers and singer-songwriters

How BizarreOMC

OMC – How Bizarre (Official Music Video)

A song by the New Zealand group OMC.

Released in 1995, it won Single of the Year at the New Zealand Music Awards.

The group’s name comes from the abbreviation of “Otara Millionaires Club,” named after the Auckland area where lead singer Pauly Fuemana grew up.

Like WaterLadi6

Ladi6 – Like Water (Official Music Video)

Ladi6, often hailed as the “Queen” of New Zealand’s music scene, crafts a singular sound where hip-hop forms the core and elements of soul and reggae seamlessly blend in—an approach shaped by her Samoan roots and her teenage years spent in Africa.

After debuting in a group in 1998, she went solo.

Like Water, from the acclaimed album The Liberation Of…, became a signature track and earned platinum certification.

She has won multiple NZ Music Awards, and her 2018 EP Royal Blue 3000 achieved a triple crown.

With its soulful warmth and adventurous experimentation, her music is perfect for listeners seeking genre-defying freedom.

Broken MachineZowie

Zowie – Broken Machine

A song by Zoe Fleury, a New Zealand singer-songwriter who performs under the name Zowie.

She has toured with artists such as Katy Perry and Mark Ronson.

The track was released as a digital download in 2010, reached No.

9 on the New Zealand charts, and was certified Gold.

I Got YouSplit Enz

Split Enz – I Got You (1980)

Split Enz is a new wave band formed in New Zealand in 1972 that gained popularity through the 1970s and 1980s.

This song was released as a single in 1979 and reached No.

1 on the charts in New Zealand and Australia.

We’ll Never KnowKings

We’ll Never Know

Kings, a New Zealand talent with Māori and Samoan roots, is a multifaceted music producer who moves effortlessly between R&B and pop with hip-hop at his core.

His debut single, “Don’t Worry ‘Bout It,” released in 2016, made history by holding the No.

1 spot on the domestic charts for 33 consecutive weeks, cementing his name in the scene.

That year, he not only won Best New Artist at the music awards but also took home three trophies at the Pacific Music Awards, underscoring the acclaim he received.

Handling everything himself from production to mastering, his music is full of independence and creativity.

If you’re looking for melodic rap and genre-defying sounds, his work is sure to resonate with you.

Oh, MojaveThe Ruby Suns

The Ruby Suns – Oh, Mojave | A Take Away Show

Ruby Suns is an indie pop group formed in New Zealand in 2003.

This song is included on their second album, Sea Lion, released in 2008.

It was inspired by a camping trip in the desert that the band’s leader, Ryan McPhun, took with his mother and sister.

Don’t Dream It’s OverCrowded House

Crowded House – Don’t Dream It’s Over (Official Music Video)

A song released as a single in 1986 by Crowded House, a rock band formed by members from New Zealand.

It was written by lead singer Neil Finn.

It became their biggest hit in the United States and was used in a commercial promoting tourism in New Zealand.