To mark AudioCulture’s 10th birthday in May 2023, we asked readers to nominate their choice of New Zealand’s “classic album”. To get things started, we provided a list of over 200 albums (marked here with an asterisk). Readers were also invited to write in any albums that weren’t in our list. Over 3300 readers responded, and over 450 albums were nominated in total. Here is the complete list of albums chosen by AudioCulture readers. We have included some nominations that weren’t eligible, such as EPs or compilation albums of material already released. Two or three albums we couldn’t verify existed, so these have been deleted.
@Peace – @Peace and the Plutonian Noise Symphony (2014)
3Ds – Hellzapoppin’ (1992)
3Ds – Venus Trail (1993) *
48May – Streetlights and Shadows (2007)
8 Foot Sativa – Season For Assault (2003)
8 Foot Sativa – Hate Made Me (2002)
Aaradhna – Brown Girl (2016) *
Able Tasmans – Hey Spinner (1990) *
Age Pryor – City Chorus (2003)
Ahoribuzz – Into the Sunshine (2015)
Al Hunter – Neon Cowboy (1987) *
Alan Broadbent – Heart to Heart (2012)
Alastair Galbraith – Morse (1993)
Albion Place – Mascuzzi Jacuzzi (2017)
Aldous Harding – Party (2014)
Aldous Harding – Designer (2019) *
Aldous Harding – Warm Chris (2022)
Alexbakermusic – Dedicated Strangers (2022)
Alien Weaponry – Tū (2018) *
Allison Durbin – I Have Loved Me a Man (1968)
An Emerald City – Circa Scaria (2009)
Anika Moa – The Thinking Room (2001) *
Annie Crummer – Language (1992)
Anthonie Tonnon – Leave Love Out Of This (2021) *
Aotearoa – He Waiata Mo Te Iwi (1986) *
Ardijah – Ardijah (1987) *
Ariana Tikao – From Dust to Light (2012) *
Avantdale Bowling Club – Avantdale Bowling Club (2018) *
Avengers, The – Electric Recording (1968) *
AXEMEN – 3 Virgins, 3 Versions, 3 Visions (1986)
Bachelorette – My Electric Family (2009) *
Backyard Burial – Symptoms of Psychopathology (2009)
Bailterspace – Capsul (1997)
Bailterspace – Thermos (1989)
Bailterspace – Robot World (1993)
Bailterspace – Wammo (1995) *
Banshee Reel – Culture Vulture (1993)
Bats – Daddy’s Highway (1987) *
Beach Jamis – Noisy (2022)
Beastwars – Beastwars (2011) *
Beat Rhythm Fashion – Tenterhook (2019)
Beths – Future Me Hates Me (2018) *
Beths – Jump Rope Gazers (2020)
Beths – Expert In A Dying Field (2022)
Bic Runga – Drive (1997) *
Bic Runga – Beautiful Collision (2002) *
Bic Runga – Birds (2005)
Bilderine – Split Seconds (1984)
Bilge Festival – Cape Goat (1994)
Bill Wolfgramm and His Islanders with Daphne Walker – South Seas Rhythm (1956) *
Bing Turkby Ensemble – Grabs You by the Plimentos! (1997)
Bird Nest Roys – Whack It All Down (1985)
Bird Nest Roys – Bird Nest Roys (1987)
Black Seeds – Into the Dojo (2006)
Black Seeds – Solid Ground (2009)
Blam Blam Blam – Luxury Length (1982) *
Bleeders – Bleeders (2008)
Blindfolded and Led to the Woods – Rejecting Obliteration (2023)
Blindspott – Blindspott (2002) *
Body Electric – Presentation and Reality (1983) *
Breaks Co-op – Roofers (1997)
Bressa Creeting Cake – Bressa Creeting Cake (1997) *
Brick vs Face – Think For yourself (2007)
Broods – Don’t Feed the Pop Monster (2019)
Broods – Space Island (2022)
Brooke Fraser – What To Do With Daylight (2003) *
Brunettes, The – Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks (2002) *
Brunettes – Structure and Cosmetics (2007)
Builders – Beatin Hearts (1983)
Builders – C₀NCH₃ (1985)
Bygone Era – Get Airborne (1989)
Car Crash Set – No Accident (1984)
Che Fu – 2b S.Pacific (1998)
Che Fu – The Navigator (2001) *
Checks – Hunting Whales (2007)
Chelsea Jade – Personal Best (2018)
Chills – Kaleidoscope World (1986)
Chills – Brave World (1987)
Chills – Submarine Bells (1990) *
Chills – Soft Bomb (1992)
Chris Knox – Seizure (1989) *
Chris Priestly – uncovered
Cinematic – Musicland (1995)
Citizen Band – Citizen Band (1978)
City Newton Bombers – City Newton Bombers (2006)
Clean – Boodle Boodle Boodle (1981)
Clean – Vehicle (1990) *
Clean – Unknown Country (1996)
Cleves – Music from Michael EP (1971)
Cloudboy – Down at the End of the Garden (2001) *
Cloudtime – Views From a Room (2017)
Coco Solid – Denim and Leather (2004) *
Collision – Collision (1978) *
Concord Dawn – Uprising (2003) *
Crocodiles – Tears (1980) *
Crowded House – Woodface (1991) *
Crowded House – Together Alone (1993) *
D4 – 6Twenty (2001) *
Dam Native – Kaupapa Driven Rhymes Uplifted (1997) *
Dance Exponents – Prayers Be Answered (1983) *
Daggy & the Dickheads – Brothers (EP, 1982)
Danse Macabre – Between The Lines (1981)
Darcy Clay – Jesus I Was Evil (EP, 1997)
Dark Tower – Canterbury Drafts (2001)
Datsuns, The – The Datsuns (2002) *
Dave Dobbyn – Twist (1995) *
Dave Dobbyn – The Islander (1998)
Dave McArtney & the Pink Flamingos (1980)
David Eggleton – Poetry Demon (1993)
DD Smash – Cool Bananas (1982) *
Dead C – Harsh 70s Reality (1992)
Dead C — The White House (1995)
Dead Flowers – Skin of a Stone (1993)
Deceptikonz – Elimination (2002) *
Deep Obsession – Infinity (1999)
Devilskin – We Rise (2014)
Die! Die! Die! – Promises Promises (2008) *
Die! Die! Die! – Harmony (2013)
Dimmer – I Believe You Are A Star (2001) *
Dinah Lee – Introducing Dinah Lee (1964) *
Disasteradio – Visions (2007)
DLT – The True School (1996)
DLT – Altruism (2000)
Dr Kevorkian & The Suicide Machine (Jordan Reyne) – The Ironman (2000)
Don McGlashan – Warm Hand (2006) *
Don McGlashan – Marvellous Year (2009)
Don McGlashan – Lucky Stars (2015)
Doug Jerebine – Doug Jerebine is Jesse Harper (1969/2012) *
Douglas Lilburn – Complete Electro-Acoustic Works (2004)
Dragon – Universal Radio (1974)
Dragon – Scented Gardens for the Blind (1975)
Dragon – Sunshine (1977) *
Dread Beat & Blood – Tribute To A Friend (1985)
Drongos, The – Small Miracles (1985)
Dudley Benson – Forest: Songs by Hirini Melbourne (2010)
Eastern – The Territory (2014)
Eight – Moving (2004)
Elemeno P – Love & Disrepect (2003) *
Elephantmen – Let You Entertain Me (2012)
Emily Fairlight – Mother Of Gloom (2018)
Emma Paki – Oxygen Of Love (1996) *
End Boss – They Seek My Head (2022)
Epsilon Blue – Waterland (1998)
Epsilon Blue – We Have a Responsibility To Our Shareholders (2002)
Evermore – Real Life (2006)
Exponents – Something Beginning With C (1992) *
Exponents – Once Bitten, Twice Bitten (1995)
Fat Freddy’s Drop – Based On A True Story (2005) *
Fazerdaze – Morningside (2017) *
feelers – Supersystem (1998) *
feelers – Playground Battle (2003)
Fetus Productions – Fetalmania (1983)
Finn Brothers – Finn (1995) *
Finn Brothers – Everyone is Here (2004)
Flesh D-Vice – 12 Inches of Hard Flesh (1983)
Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords (2008)
Fourmyula – Turn Your Back on The Wind (1970/2010) *
Fourmyula – The Very Best of (1999)
French for Rabbits – Claimed By The Sea (2012) *
Front Lawn, The – Songs From The Front Lawn (1989) *
Full Code – Telescapes (2014)
Fur Patrol – Pet (2000) *
Garageland – Last Exit To Garageland (1996) *
Garbage & the Flowers – Eyes Rind As If Beggars (1997)
Ghost Plane – Beneath the Sleepy Lagoon (2005)
Gin Wigmore – Gravel and Wine (2011)
Gin Wigmore – Blood to Bone (2015)
Golden Axe – Liquid Bacon (2011)
Golden Harvest – Golden Harvest (1978)
Goldenhorse – Riverhead (2002) *
Goodshirt – Good (2001) *
Gordons, The – The Gordons (1981) *
Grace – Black Sand Shore (1995) *
Graeme Gash – After the Carnival (1981)
Graham Brazier – Inside Out (1981) *
Grammar Boys – Daring Feats (1983)
Greg Johnson – Vine Street Stories (1995)
Greg Johnson Set – Everyday Distortions (1993) *
Hallelujah Picassos – Drinking with Judas (1993)
Hammond Gamble – Hammond Gamble (1981)
Hans Pucket – Eczema (2018)
Head Like a Hole – Flik Y’Self Off Y’Self (1994)
Head Like a Hole – Double Your Strength, Improve Your Health, and Lengthen Your Life (1996)
Head Like a Hole – Cut Off Your Hands (2020)
Headless Chickens – Stunt Clown (1988) *
Headless Chickens – Body Blow (1991) *
Hello Sailor – Hello Sailor (1977) *
Headband – Happen Out (1971) *
Hello Sailor – Pacifica Amour (1978)
Herbs – What’s Be Happen? (1981) *
Herbs – Light of the Pacific (1983) *
Herbs – Long Ago (1984)
Herbs – Sensitive to a Smile (1987)
High Dependency Unit – Cross Channel Multitap (1998)
High Dependency Unit – Fire Works (2001)
High Dependency Unit – Tunguska (2006)
Highway – Highway (1971) *
Hinewehi Mohi – Oceania II (2003)
Hirini (Sydney) Melbourne – Children of Tane (1979)
Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns – Te Kū Te Whē (1994)
Hinewehi Mohi and Jaz Coleman – Oceania (1999)
Hogsnort Rupert – Have a Hogsnort Rupert Summer (1970)
Home Brew – Last Week (2010)
Home Brew – Home Brew (2012)
Hope and Wire –The Eastern (2012)
Howard Morrison – Songs of New Zealand (1985)
Howard Morrison Quartet – Māori Songs (1962)
Human Instinct – Burning Up Years (1970)
Human Instinct – Stoned Guitar (1970) *
Humphreys & Keen – The Overflow (2005) *
I Am Giant – The Horrifying Truth (2011)
Into The East – Fight From The Inside (2013)
Jakob – Subsets of Sets (2001) *
Jakob – Cale:Drew (2003)
Jakob – Solace (2006)
Jan Hellriegel – It’s My Sin (1992) *
Jan Hellriegel – Tremble (1995)
Jay Clarkson / Breathing Cage – Misericord (1991) *
Jean-Paul Sartre Experience – Love Songs (1986)
Jean-Paul Sartre Experience – The Size of Food (1989)
Jean-Paul Sartre Experience – Bleeding Star (1993) *
Jenny Morris – Shiver (1989) *
Job Site – Job Site (2023)
John Hore – Encore (1965) *
John Hanlon – Garden Fresh (1974)
John Hanlon – Higher Trails (1975) *
John Hanlon – The Very Best Of (2003)
Johnny Mystic – Take the Reigns (2023)
Julia Deans – Modern Fables (2010) *
Katchafire – Revival (2006)
Katchafire – Say What You’re Thinking (2007) *
Kimbra – Primal Heart (2018)
King Kapisi – Savage Thoughts (2001) *
King Loser – You Cannot Kill What Does Not Live (1995) *
Kingites – Feathers of Peace (2008)
Kora – Kora (2007) *
L.A.B. – L.A.B. (2017)
L.A.B. – L.A.B. III (2019) *
La De Da’s – The La De Da’s (1966) *
La De Da’s – Find Us A Way (1967)
Ladi6 – The Liberation Of... (2010) *
Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke (2008) *
Larry’s Rebels – A Study in Black (1967)
Larry’s Rebels – Greatest Hits (2001)
Last Man Down (Ross Mullins) – State House Kid (1985)
Lawrence Arabia – Chant Darling (2009)
Lava Lava – Burnt (1997)
Left or Right – Nuggety (2009)
Legionnaires/Dance Exponents – Live At Mainstreet (1983)
Leisure – Leisure (2016) *
Liam Finn – I’ll Be Lightning (2007)
Librettos – Let’s Go With the Librettos (1965) *
Little Bushman – The Onus of Sand (2006)
Living Force – Living Force (1977)
Lontalius – I’ll Forget (2016) *
Looking For Alaska – Light And Shadow (2020)
Lorde – Pure Heroine (2013) *
Lorde – Melodrama (2017) *
Lorde – Solar Power (2021)
Louis Baker – Open (2019)
Loves Ugly Children – Showered in Gold (1997)
Lung – Cactii (1991)
Lutha – Lutha (1972)
Mahinaarangi Tocker – Hei Ha! (2002) *
Maisey Rika – Whitiora (2012) *
Mara TK – Bad Meditation (2021)
Margaret Urlich – Safety In Numbers (1989) *
Margaret Urlich – Second Nature (1999)
Maria Dallas – Country Girl (1966) *
Mark Williams – Taking It All In Stride (1977) *
Marlon Williams – Marlon Williams (2015) *
Marlon Williams – Make Way For Love (2018)
Marlon Williams – My Boy (2022)
Marshmallow – Marshmallow (2002)
Mel Parsons – Drylands (2015) *
Mermaidens – Perfect Body (2017)
Mëstar – Shut the Squizwot Factories Down (2006)
Micronism – Inside a Quiet Mind (1998) *
Midge Marsden – 12 Bars from Mars (1982)
Mild Orange – Foreplay (2018)
Mint Chicks – Fuck the Golden Youth (2005)
Mint Chicks – Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! (2006) *
Minuit – The 88 (2003) *
Miriam Clancy – Black Heart (2023)
Mi-Sex – Graffiti Crimes (1979) *
Missing Teeth – Missing Teeth (2002)
Moana and the Moahunters – Rua (1998) *
Mobile Stud Unit – Flaps (2001)
Mockers – Culprit and the King (1985) *
Mokomokai – Mokomokai (2022)
Mother Goose – Don’t Believe In Fairytales (1979)
Motocade – Tightrope Highway (2009)
Mutton Birds – The Mutton Birds (1992) *
Mutton Birds – Anchor Me (1994)
Mutton Birds – Envy Of Angels (1996)
Nadia Reid – Preservation (2017) *
Naked and Famous – Passive Me, Aggressive You (2010)
Nathan Haines – Shift Left (1995) *
Nazgul – Good Demons
Neill Duncan – Quiver (1999)
Nesian Mystik– Polysaturated (2002) *
New Way Home – Mirror (2012)
Netherworld Dancing Toys – Painted Years (1985) *
No Idea – Class War (1985)
Nod, The – Thirsty Work (1992) *
OMC – How Bizarre (1996) *
P.H.F – I Hate Myself (2018)
Pacific Heights – The Stillness (2016)
Pātea Māori Club – Poi E (1987)
Patsy Riggir – Are You Lonely (1983) *
Pelicans – Eight Duck Treasure (1983)
Phelps and Munro – Slowpoke (2003)
Phoenix Foundation – Pegasus (2005)
Phoenix Foundation – Happy Ending (2007)
Phoenix Foundation – Buffalo (2010) *
Phoenix Foundation – Fandango (2013)
Pitch Black – Futureproof (1998)
Pitch Black – Electronomicon (2000)
Pitch Black – Ape to Angel (2004)
Pluto – Pipeline Under The Ocean (2005)
P-Money – Big Things (2002) *
Pretty Wicked Head & The Desperate Men – New Age Savage (1990)
Prince Tui Teka – Prince Tui Teka (1974)
Princess Chelsea – Everything is Going to be Alright (2022)
Pull Down The Sun – Of Valleys and Mountains (2020)
Pumice – Pebbles (2007)
Pumpkinhead – Sloth (1995) *
Push Push – A Trillion Shades of Happy (1992) *
Quincy Conserve – Listen to the Band (1970) *
Quincy Conserve – Epitaph (1972)
R.E.S. – Red Eye Society (2004)
Ragnarok – Ragnarok (1975)
Raganarok – Nooks (1976)
Rainy Days – Facework (2005)
Rebels – Madrigal (1969) *
Reb Fountain – Reb Fountain (2020) *
Recitals – Orbit One (2022)
Renderers – Dream of the Sea (1998)
Renee-Louise Carafice – Tells You To Fight! (2008) *
Reptiles At Dawn – Naked In The Wilderness (1986)
Rhian Sheehan – Stories From Elsewhere (2013)
Rhombus – Bass Player (2002)
Rob Ruha & the Witch Dr – Survivance (2017)
Rob Ruha – Preservation of Scenery (2022) *
Salmonella Dub – Killervision (1999)
Salmonella Dub – Inside the Dub Plates (2001) *
Sam Hunt with David Kilgour & the Heavy 8s – The 9th (2015) *
Savage – Moonshine (2005) *
Screaming Meemees – If This Is Paradise, I’ll Take the Bag (1982) *
Scribe – The Crusader (2003) *
Shaft – Pooty (1996)
Shapeshifter – Real Time (2001) *
Shapeshifter – Live (2007)
Shapeshifter – Delta (2013)
Sharon O’Neill – Foreign Affairs (1983) *
Shihad – Churn (1993) *
Shihad – Killjoy (1995) *
Shihad – Shihad (1996) *
Shihad – The General Electric (1999) *
Shihad – Pacifier (2002)
Shihad – The Meanest Hits (2011)
Shona Laing – South (1988) *
Shona Laing – New On Earth (1992)
Sidewinder – Vines (2022)
Simple Image – Spinning, Spinning, Spinning (1968)
Situations – Get the Basics (2007)
Six60 – Six60 (2013) *
Six60 – Six60 (2019)
SJD – Southern Lights (2004)
SJD – Songs from a Dictaphone (2007)
SJD – Saint John Divine (2015) *
SJD – Sweetheart (2023)
Skeptics – Amalgam (1990) *
Skeptics – Skeptics III (1987)
Sleeping Village – Tomorrow (2022)
Sneaky Feelings – Send You (1984) *
Sola Rosa – Solarized (2001)
Sons of Zion – Universal Love (2013)
Space Farm – Space Farm (1972)
Space Waltz – Space Waltz by Alastair Riddell (1975) *
Split Enz – Mental Notes (1975) *
Split Enz – Dizrythmia (1977)
Split Enz – Frenzy (1979)
Split Enz – True Colours (1980) *
Split Enz – Waiata (1981)
Split Enz – Enz of an Era (1982)
Split Enz – Time and Tide (1982)
Split Enz – History Never Repeats (Compilation, 1989)
S.P.U.D. – Gnaw (1991)
stellar* – Mix (2000) *
Stereo Bus – Stereo Bus (1997)
Stereo Bus – Brand New (1999)
Sticky Filth – Weep Women Weep (1988)
Sticky Filth – Nektar der Götter (1990)
Straitjacket Fits – Life in One Chord (EP, 1987)
Straitjacket Fits – Hail (1988)
Straitjacket Fits – Blow (1993) *
Straitjacket Fits – Melt (1990) *
Strawpeople – Broadcast (1994) *
Strawpeople – The Best Of 1990-2000 (Compilation, 2000)
Strawpeople – Vicarious (1997)
Street Chant – Hauora (2016) *
Street Talk – Battleground of Fun (1980)
Subliminals – United State (2000)
Subware – Subware (2002)
Superette – Tiger (1996) *
Supergroove – Traction (1994) *
Suzanne Prentice – When I Dream (1982) *
SWIDT – Stoneyhunga (2005) *
Swingers – Practical Jokers (1981) *
Tadpole – The Buddhafinger (2000)
Tall Dwarfs – Weeville (1990)
Tall Dwarfs – Fork Songs (1991)
Tall Dwarfs – Fifty Flavours of Glue (1998)
Tamburlaine – Say No More (1971)
Tamburlaine – Rebirth (1973)
Tami Neilson – Kingmaker (2022) *
Teacups – Forest Fiction (2009) *
Terminals – Uncoffined (1990)
Tha Feelstyle – Break It To Pieces (2004) *
Th’ Dudes – Right First Time (1979) *
Th’ Dudes – So You Wanna Be a Rock and Roll Star (EP, 1982)
Think – We’ll Give You a Buzz (1976)
This Kind of Punishment – A Beard of Bees (1984)
Thrashing Marlin – Donkey Deep (2011) *
Ticket – Awake (1972) *
Ticket – Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (1972) *
Tiki Taane – In The World of Light (2011)
Tim Finn – Before & After (1993)
Tim Finn, Bic Runga, Dave Dobbyn – Together in Concert: Live (2000)
Tiny Ruins – Some Were Meant For Sea (2011) *
Tiny Ruins – Olympic Girls (2019)
Tiny Ruins – Ceremony (2023)
Topp Twins – The Topp Twins Go Vinyl (1982) *
Toy Love – Toy Love (1980) *
Trinity Roots – True (2002) *
Trinity Roots – Home, Land and Sea (2004)
Troy Kingi – Shake that Skinny Ass All the Way to Zygertron (2017) *
Troy Kingi – The Ghost of Freddie Cesar (2020)
Troy Kingi – Black Sea Golden Ladder (2021)
TrueBliss – Dream (1999) *
Underdogs Blues Band (1968) *
Unity Pacific – From Street to Sky (2003) *
Upper Hutt Posse – Against the Flow (1989)
Vanessa Worm – Vanessa 77 (2020)
Various Artists – AK79 (1979) *
Various Artists – Deepgrooves (1991)
Various Artists – Dunedin Double (1982)
Various Artists – Goats Milk Soap (1982)
Various Artists – In Love with These Times (1989)
Various Artists – It’s Bigger Than Both of Us (1988)
Various Artists – Nature’s Best (2002)
Various Artists – New Zealand Cast Recording of Jesus Christ Superstar (1994)
Various Artists – Proud: An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul (1994) *
Various Artists – Tuatara: A Flying Nun Compilation (1985)
Various Artists – Avalanche (Compilation, 1993) *
Various Artists – The Great New Zealand Songbook: Souvenir Edition (2009)
Veils – The Runaway Found (2003)
Veils – Nux Vomica (2006) *
Veils – Time Stays, We Go (2013)
Verlaines – Hallelujah All the Way Home (1985) *
Verlaines – Juvenilia (1987)
Verlaines – Bird Dog (1988) *
Verlaines – Dunedin Spleen (2019)
Vietnam – Vietnam (1985)
Villainy – Mode. Set. Clear. (2013)
Villainy – Raised In The Dark (2019)
Vines – Sidewinder (2022)
Voom – Now I Am Me (1998) *
Voom – Hello, Are You There? (2006)
Vorn – More Songs About Girls And The Apocalypse (2014)
Warratahs – Too Hot To Sleep (1989) *
Waves – Waves (1975)
Wayne Gillespie – Wayward Son (1984)
Weta – Geographica (2000) *
Whirimako Black – Hinepūkohurangi: Shrouded in the Mist (2000)
Whirimako Black – Tangihaku (2004) *
Wurld Series – What’s Growing (2021)
YFC – Between Two Thieves (1984)
Zed – Silencer (2000) *