While these guys didn’t reach the dizzying heights of success in NZ that they had here in Australia, it was obvious that the kiwis had enough room for their brand of pop opera to share with the likes of Amici forever and Hayley Westenra.
Peak position #3
POPULAR IN 2005
One of the bigger bands from NZ this decade was Salmonella dub, they were an EDM group who managed to score minor success entering the decade with their album Killervision given that was when EDM became more mainstream over there like it was throughout the 90’s here in Australia. That said, this album’s success was far more than its placement on this list suggests given how it lingered in the lower half of their charts for quite some time.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Love your ways #11
POPULAR IN 2001
This also took its sweet time to become a success in NZ just like it did here in Australia, although given how it spawned a genuine hit for Jack Johnson during the early months of this year, it managed to be more of a success over there even if it was at the expense of his biggest album here which is still to come on this list regardless.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Flake #6
POPULAR IN 2002
This was more of an immediate success over in NZ, so much so that it managed to reach the upper echelons of their charts unlike here in Australia where it only qualified for that side of my site due to it lingering around forever in a day for the (literally) animated band. It’s no surprise this was a hit for them over there given how it spawned a genuine hit for them with its second single.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Clint Eastwood #12
19/2000 #1
POPULAR IN 2001
This was the only successful album to come from NZ EDM and hip hop group Kora, admittedly they did have a strange sound to them given how they combined two genres that seemed like opposing forces given how we Aussies and kiwis didn’t allow them to become a success simultaneously throughout the 90’s, however they seemed to pull it off for this one album which became a massive success despite its low placement on this list.
Peak position #1×1
POPULAR IN 2007
Akon was certainly on a roll in NZ given how his second album managed to be a massive success over there like his debut was two years prior, of course its success was largely thanks to the multiple hits it managed to spawn for him which helped him stand up to the likes of Usher and Chris Brown at the time. His time in the spotlight would come to an end with his third album due to it flopping hard for him.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Smack that #1
I wanna love you #2
Don’t matter #1
Sorry blame it on me #2 (deluxe edition)
POPULAR IN 2006
Given how Matchbox 20 didn’t have as much success in NZ as they did here in Australia, it only makes sense that this greatest hits package wasn’t quite the success it was over there as it was over here for the band. That said, it did become a massive hit for the band, which goes to show that there was a decent fanbase over there for the band even if it was pitiful compared to their fanbase down under.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
How far we’ve come #11
POPULAR IN 2007
Although these guys never found much success with their singles over in NZ (at least compared to here in Australia they didn’t) I don’t think they would’ve minded so much given how massively popular each of their albums were during their time in the spotlight. Even though this failed to spawn a hit for them over there, its popularity happened the same time that the lead single became a hit over here.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Yellow #23
Trouble #36
POPULAR IN 2000
This was originally released to minor success for J Williams, however it exploded in popularity when the deluxe edition came out which contained some of the biggest hits during the first stretch of the 2010’s in NZ. Like Dane Rumble, this being J Williams only album remains puzzling to this day given how popular it and the singles were.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Blow ya mind #13
Set it off #36
Ghetto flower #5
Stand with you #6
Your style #16
You got me #1
Takes me higher #2
Night of your life #4
POPULAR IN 2009
The kiwis had such fond memories of UB40 that this three for one deal managed to become a massive success over there during the midpoint of the decade, if this isn’t an endorsement of how popular the band was over there during their heyday then I don’t know what is.
Peak position #6
POPULAR IN 2003
This was one of two successful opera albums to come from Russel Watson over in NZ this decade, although this apparently needed an exclusive release over there given how it was that specific version to make it big over there and not the original version. Even so, it was a massive hit for the opera singer and likely opened up doors for the likes of Amici forever and Il Divo to crossover there later in the decade.
Peak position #1×3
POPULAR IN 2002
Just like her previous album, Norah Jones was able to find more success with her sophomore album in NZ than she did here in Australia, I’m guessing because in addition to throwback jazz being more in vogue over in NZ than it was down under, there also wasn’t much competition she had to face given how NZ idol didn’t completely dominate their music industry when it premiered this year like Australian idol did for our music industry.
Peak position #1×6
Hit singles
Sunrise #29
POPULAR IN 2004
There was no shortage of classical music making it big in the NZ music scene this decade, here we have the debut album of Yulia Beredenko who was a Russian born teenage opera singer who won over her fellow kiwis with this album enough to make it among the most successful of the decade over there. She managed to have a second successful album later in the decade before she faded into obscurity.
Peak position #1×4
POPULAR IN 2004
It appears the kiwis were more excited to see what else Green day had in store following the success of American idiot from earlier in the decade then we Aussies did, granted this was still a massive hit here, however it wasn’t quite as popular as it was over there for the trio. Indeed, this promised them a lucrative career going into the 2010’s, however that wasn’t to be due to that decade’s allergic reaction to rock music.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Know your enemy #13
21 guns #3
POPULAR IN 2009
It may have been panned by critics and audiences alike, however that didn’t prevent this album from Eminem being a massive success for him worldwide likely due to it having a trainwreck feel to it to the point where many people (me included) speculate that it was deliberately sabotaged in order to scare off people who considered him to be a martyr for their childhoods.
Peak position #1×4
Hit singles
Just lose it #1
Like toy soldiers #2
Mockingbird #8
Ass like that #9
POPULAR IN 2004
I guess there’s little surprise that this was a massive hit for Celine Dion in NZ, heck she never found much success with her singles throughout the 90’s, so it failing to produce a hit for her worldwide wasn’t much of a hinderance for its success over there like it was in most parts of the world. Although she’s attempted to recapture the success she had with her entries on this site over the years, those attempts have sadly been futile.
Peak position #1×6
Hit singles
A new day has come #20
I’m alive #35
POPULAR IN 2002
Although this didn’t reach the dizzying heights of her earlier material, this was regardless a massive success for Bic Runga proving that she still had plenty of love from her fellow kiwis this far into the 21st century as opposed to her older sister who had already fallen into obscurity by this point in time. Sadly she would follow suit with her next album as that was a massive flop for her later in the decade.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Winning arrow #23
POPULAR IN 2005
Given how inescapably popular this album was the previous year here in Australia, it only makes sense that the kiwis would check out what all the fuss was about from Jason Mraz which resulted in the lead single becoming more popular over there than it was over here and thus making this album a success for him as well.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
I’m yours #1
POPULAR IN 2008
While this was only a modest success at best here in Australia for Kings of Leon, it was more of a concrete success over in NZ likely due to the band heavily benefitting from the kiwis incorporating their digital sales onto their main charts which is something we Aussies didn’t do until later in the decade. As such, this was able to have a more respectable ranking on this list.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
On call #26
Fans #23
POPULAR IN 2007
Well, we just looked at the debut album from his protegee a moment ago, so now let’s look at the second album from 50 cent which he released around the same time that somehow led to the two rappers having a falling out this year as there appears to be speculation that the success of this album hampered the success of the Game’s album over in their native America for some reason.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Candy shop #2
Just a lil bit #8
Outta control #12
POPULAR IN 2005
Not only was this predictably more of a success for Ray Charles in NZ given the kiwis fondness for RNB over us Aussies, but it also appears that it was an immediate success over there as well given how it appears on more than one of these lists which was the case for the Australian side of this site.
Peak position #3
POPULAR IN 2004
While this did have a slow start to its success over in NZ the previous year, it appears the kiwis were eventually won over by this debut album from Blue as it became a massive success for them this year due to how popular each of the singles were over there. I guess in a way, there was a third round of the boy band wars given how popular they and Westlife were during the first half of the decade over there.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
All rise #1
Too close #1
If you come back #5
Fly by #9
Best in me #10
POPULAR IN 2001
This is the second time this album became successful in NZ throughout the 00’s, it was a much bigger improvement over its initial release from two years prior given how much higher it appears on this list compared to my 2002 list.
Peak position #4
POPULAR IN 2004
I guess the kiwis were more interested in reliving the glory days of when Billy Joel released new music than us Aussies were, either that or they just wanted to make this greatest hits package a bigger success than it was over here given how much more successful it was over there back in the day.
Peak position #2
POPULAR IN 2001
This managed to be more of a mainstream success for Joss Stone in NZ than it was here in Australia this year, perhaps because it like many other entries on this list that appeared on that side of my site didn’t get side-lined over there in favour of the Australian Idol phenomenon which resulted in this years being very negatively received by music historians as far as the Australian music landscape was concerned.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Fell in love with a boy #23
POPULAR IN 2004
I’m a bit surprised this wasn’t even bigger in NZ for the same reason I was surprised it wasn’t bigger here in Australia, then again, the fact the singles on this album were so inescapable worldwide more than justifies how popular Curtis was this year which I feel makes up for it not being higher on these lists. Much like everywhere else in the world, his popularity would dwindle as the decade went on over there.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
In da club #1
21 questions #8
P.I.M.P #2
If I can’t #26
POPULAR IN 2003
I guess the success of Nelly’s debut album had little impact with how big his second album would turn out in the southern hemisphere, then again, I’m pretty sure this album’s success came more from the singles than Nelly’s skills as a rapper given how fondly remembered the two Billboard chart toppers from this album remain to this day and how most of his other songs have since fallen into obscurity.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Hot in herre #3
Dilemma #2
Work it #17
POPULAR IN 2002
This proved to be more successful for JT over in NZ than it was here in Australia, I’m guessing because the singles didn’t create as much buzz over there as they did here which I’m guessing was the payoff for the singles success here and vice versa over there. He would find more success with both his second album and its singles in both countries later in the decade.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Like I love you #6
Cry me a river #11
Rock your body #4
Senorita #4
POPULAR IN 2003
I’m a bit surprised this wasn’t more successful in NZ than it was here in Australia given how their nostalgia circuit was much more potent over there than ours was over here during the last stretch of the decade, then again, this was a comeback album for AC/DC in every sense of the word given how popularity they would remain throughout the following decade.
Peak position #1×1
POPULAR IN 2008
For whatever reason, this album from RHCP wasn’t as popular in NZ as it was here in Australia, although that might be because Flea had become an Australian citizen which prompted us Aussies to make this more popular than it otherwise would’ve been had he not become an Australian. Their next album Stadium arcadium would restore their popularity to what it was at the start of the decade.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
By the way #13
The zephyr song #9
Can’t stop #40
POPULAR IN 2002
This was the debut album of NZ’s answer to the likes of Limp Bizkit and 28 days, it had a slow start to its success likely due to the kiwis finding nu metal to be a niche genre reserved only for the likes of Linkin Park and Korn. It was given a second chance when it spawned a surprise hit with “Phlex” which allowed the album to become a massive success for the band over there.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Nil by mouth #38
Room to breathe #32
S.U.I.T #36
Phlex #3
Blank #42
POPULAR IN 2002
Well at least this was released on time for Shaggy in NZ, meaning this was able to be a success months before it even touched the charts here in Australia for the Jamaican rapper. I never quite understood why this was so heavily delayed here as he did find success here with “Oh Carolina” from earlier in the decade, perhaps we didn’t want him to be a household name like he was in NZ.
Peak position #1×4
Hit singles
It wasn’t me #6
Angel #4
Luv me luv me #34
Hope #34
POPULAR IN 2001
This felt like a good place for Eminem to call it quits in the hip hop game given how much of a critical disaster his previous album was, indeed, he was all set in this being the last album he released given how his next album came out of nowhere four years later and didn’t see nearly the success that his previous work had. Naturally the kiwis were as on board with this career trajectory as the rest of the world was.
Peak position #1×4
Hit singles
When I’m gone #2
POPULAR IN 2005
I guess Disturbed were equally as successful in NZ as they were here in Australia given how this album managed to be a massive hit for them this year in both countries, indeed their 2015 comeback was also a massive success over there like it was here (impressive for a rock band) even without the success of their cover of “The sound of silence” over there.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Inside the fire #18
POPULAR IN 2008
This was more of a success for Akon in NZ than it was here in Australia, it’s only fitting given how RNB was far more accessible over there than it was over here throughout music history. That said, Akon didn’t have that much luck with the singles on here, presumably because the kiwis felt they were too gimmicky to become massive hits like they were internationally.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Lonely #1
Belly dancer #12
POPULAR IN 2005
Given how many hits this debut album from Adeaze managed to spawn in their homeland, it would’ve been bizarre had the album failed to become a hit over there like it did for the duo. Even with all of this success however, the duo didn’t release another album for the rest of the decade and only did so in 2011 when their hype had long died out.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
A life without you #3
How deep is your love #6
Getting stronger #1
Sunshine #8
POPULAR IN 2004
Unlike in Australia where this greatest hits album overlooking U2’s 90’s output was considerably less successful than their album looking over their 1980’s output, in NZ both albums were equally as successful as each other despite the band clearly having more success in the 80’s over there compared to the 90’s.
Peak position #1×7
Hit singles
Electrical storm #5
POPULAR IN 2002
This was almost a flop for J-Lo over in NZ given how the singles massively underperformed over there, however much like the rest of the world, it received a boost in popularity once the “remixes” of some of its songs became popular which led to an entire album of her commissioning remixes of each of the songs that was released the following year to massive success.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Love don’t cost a thing #1
Play #7
Ain’t it funny #31 (remix #34)
I’m real #3 (both original and remix)
I’m gonna be alright #30
POPULAR IN 2001
This was slightly more successful in NZ than it was here in Australia, I’m guessing because the digital sales had been fully incorporated over there when this was released as opposed to them not being fully implemented over here. It was also the bigger album for them over their debut, meaning that they ultimately preferred this over that which wasn’t the case in their native America.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
When you were young #10
Bones #16
Read my mind #20
POPULAR IN 2006
You have no idea how much love the kiwis have for UB40 over the years, heck I wouldn’t be surprise if that love hasn’t diminished given how they still occasionally chart over there with new material and the odd greatest hits package.
Peak position #4
POPULAR IN 2000
This was initially a flop for Christina Aguilera the in NZ, likely because the kiwis felt that her time in the spotlight was up despite the lead single being a huge success over there upon its initial release. It was given a second chance this year due to the success of its third single which helped the double album become a massive success for the former Disney star over there.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Ain’t no other man #5
Candyman #2
POPULAR IN 2006
Hip hop was certainly the genre of choice during the midpoint of the decade in NZ, as such we have this breakthrough album from P-Money who gathers some of the biggest names in his local music scene as well as some international artists as well (including Akon of all people) which became a predictable success for the producer thanks to the success of its lead single.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Stop the music #1
Keep on calling #23
POPULAR IN 2004
This had the same level of success in NZ as it did here in Australia, proving once again that pulling a song from the shelves doesn’t encourage any sales from the album in question as that’s something that happened here in Australia with the title track and not over in NZ this year. This would be her last successful album over there until Circus from the other side of the decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Ooops I did it again #1
Lucky #4
Stronger #15
POPULAR IN 2000
This was all set to be a flop for Incubus in NZ just like it was everywhere else in the world, I guess fans of their breakthrough album didn’t appreciate them changing up their sound so soon after they gravitated towards their music (their last album sat on shelves for nearly two years unnoticed worldwide.) It was given a second chance over there due to the runaway success of one of its singles there.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Wish you were here #45
Are you in #5
POPULAR IN 2001
Whilst we Aussies weren’t that interested in giving INXS another chance in the spotlight now that they had found a new lead vocalist for their band after toying with several other candidates such as Jon Stevens, the kiwis were much more open to this phase of their career given how this album with their new frontman was a massive success for them over there where it wasn’t over here.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Pretty Vegas #7
POPULAR IN 2005
Following the slow but staggering success of their debut album from earlier in the decade, Goldenhorse released their second album which might not have reached the dizzying heights of their debut, however, was nonetheless able to keep their momentum going given how popular it was during the midpoint of the decade. Their third album on the other hand was a complete dud for them.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Out of the moon #21
POPULAR IN 2005
As per tradition, Simon and Garfunkel were able to enter a new decade with a highly successful greatest hits package over in NZ proving once more how much the kiwis loved their back catalogue from the 60’s. Indeed, this was the duo’s most successful album in this regard to the point where they didn’t bother releasing another album over there once the 2010’s had begun.
Peak position #5
POPULAR IN 2000
Well, I did mention that this breakthrough from John Butler Trio here in Australia did manage to achieve massive success over in NZ this year, I’m guessing the kiwis wanted to have at least one album from the Australian alternative scene to be a massive mainstream success and so passed up the opportunity to make the lead single another case of being a bigger hit over there than it was over here as a result.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Zebra #27
POPULAR IN 2004
This also had a bit of a slow rise to its success in NZ like it did here in Australia, although at least here in Australia it was able to spawn a few minor hits as opposed to over there where each of the songs failed to even chart despite airplay being a factor in the NZ charts at the time of its release. Perhaps the kiwis felt that the singles were not worth listening to on their own and could only be enjoyed with the rest of the album.
Peak position #7
POPULAR IN 2001
This is the final nail in the coffin that was Australian idol, so much so that it was barely a success here in Australia for Stan Walker despite it being a massive success for him in his homeland and the catalyst for a highly successful career over there that he couldn’t replicate over here despite initially finding success in our music scene.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Black box #1
POPULAR IN 2009
This albums popularity in NZ was exactly the same as it was here in Australia, namely that it was a modest success upon its initial release four years prior only to explode in popularity this year upon the tragic passing of the king of pop.
Peak position #1×2
POPULAR IN 2009
It appears that the kiwis were quite invested in allowing Robbie Williams to cover swing classics from yesteryear just like we Aussies were, in fact this album had quite a lengthy run at number one over there likely due to the lead single being released on time as opposed to over here where it was delayed due to his previous album finally deciding to take off upon this album’s initial release here.
Peak position #1×7
Hit singles
Something stupid #1
POPULAR IN 2001
It appears we Aussies weren’t that interested in hearing the works of Aaron Lewis and company back in the day, fortunately the kiwis certainly were as their big breakthrough in their native America managed to crossover there thanks to what I’m sure was heavy airplay of the albums lead single. Even so, they remain a one album wonder over there like they were everywhere else in the world with this release.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
It’s been awhile #13
POPULAR IN 2001
Following the success she had as the featured vocalist on MT Raskill’s “Bathe in the water,” Hollie Smith managed to score a massive hit with her own album in her homeland which put the soul singer on the map and even opened up the possibility of her finding international success. Alas, that didn’t happen as she remains a one album wonder with this entry even in her homeland.
Peak position #1×2
POPULAR IN 2007
It appears the kiwis were more on board with celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the Rolling stones by making this album a success than we Aussies were back in the day, as such it has a much higher placement on this list compared to how well it did on the Australian side of this site.
Peak position #1×1
POPULAR IN 2002
Following the critical and commercial success of his biopic, audiences worldwide felt they needed to rediscover the works of Johnny Cash which is perhaps why this greatest hits album named after his most famous song managed to become a massive hit over in NZ in lieu of the soundtrack to the biopic which didn’t do as well over there as it did over here and thus won’t be appearing on this list.
Peak position #2
POPULAR IN 2006
This will remain as the most recent album I’ll be featuring on this site as I still refuse to go over the biggest albums of the 2010’s in either country due to how dull and lifeless that list would be (I’ve tried this and trust me, I’m not exaggerating.) At least Muse were able to squeeze into the end of the decade with this entry given how they finally managed to take the mainstream by storm worldwide.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Uprising #12
Undisclosed desires #12
POPULAR IN 2009
This was a hit again during the midpoint of the decade in NZ, further proving how much the kiwis loved UB40 even going into the new millennium (or at least their back catalogue.)
Peak position #5
POPULAR IN 2004
I’m guessing the kiwis felt like they had to wait for quite a bit for the third album from Creed given how their sophomore album was an instant success upon its initial release two years prior and that their debut had become a success less than a year prior to its release over there. This would explain why their third album wasn’t as big as those two albums given how their hype had died down slightly when it came out.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
My sacrifice #16
One last breath #29
POPULAR IN 2001
It may surprise you to learn that despite spawning a few minor hits over in NZ, this wasn’t the most successful album the Killers had over there as that honour goes to their second album from the following year despite only spawning the one hit for them worldwide. Still, this was a mammoth effort from the band even if it achieved most of its success on the lower half of their charts.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Somebody told me #13
Mr brightside #15
All these things that I’ve done #36
POPULAR IN 2005
This wasn’t as inescapably popular in NZ as it was here in Australia, likely because it was a hit upon its immediate release over there which likely meant that the kiwis weren’t as impressed with Michael Bublé’s world tour as we Aussies were once this finally caught on late into its chart run over here.
Peak position #1×2
POPULAR IN 2003
This was originally released in 1998 to deafening silence for David Gray, I’m guessing because folk rock wasn’t very popular in his native UK during the late 90’s which seemed to be all about teen pop and nostalgia baiting from the twentieth century. It was given a second chance likely due to there being a sudden rise in more down to earth music entering the 21st century.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Babylon #31
POPULAR IN 2000
Given how immensely popular 50 cent was during the midpoint of the decade, it only makes sense that a protegee of his own would be able to follow in his footsteps and find success with their own album which is exactly what the Game achieved with his debut album in NZ and his native America. It’s interested that he was the protegee of an east coast rapper considering he was from the west coast.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
How we do #3
Hate it or love it #3
Dreams #35
POPULAR IN 2005
This was not as popular in NZ as it was here in Australia for Gwen Stefani, although I find that to be a bit strange considering how the singles were far more successful over there than they were over here even if it was due to them benefitting from the kiwis fully establishing their digital data onto their main charts by this point in time. At least was a success for her over there unlike her third album a decade later.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Wind it up #1
The sweet escape #1
4 in the morning #5
Now that you got it #21
POPULAR IN 2006
Anika Moa is best known as a TV presenter nowadays; however, she began her career as a singer/songwriter who saw massive success with her debut album. She had another successful album later in the decade before she retired from music to pursue a TV career, said TV career has been far more lucrative for the LGBT performer than her music career ever was.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Youthful #5
Good in my head #22
Falling in love again #5
Mother #46
POPULAR IN 2002
While this didn’t end up being as successful in NZ as it was here in Australia, at least it was a success much sooner over there due to the kiwis instantly falling in love with the lead single as opposed to it only being a big success here rather than one of the biggest hits of the decade over there. All of this success and she still was in danger of becoming a one album wonder over there until her third album.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Falling #1
A woman’s worth #5
POPULAR IN 2001
Much like in Australia, this comeback album from the Eagles had so much hype to it in NZ that its success was inevitable over there given how much love the band received from the kiwis back in their heyday. I’m sure if they made another album after this, it would’ve also been a smash hit throughout the world for them.
Peak position #1×2
POPULAR IN 2007
Che Fu already achieved sound success with his first solo album during the late 90’s, however I don’t think anyone was expecting the former Supergroove frontman to achieve massive success with his sophomore album going into the new millennium. Sadly, third time wasn’t the charm for him as his third album failed to make any sort of impact for him later in the decade.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
Fade away #2
Random #19
Misty frequencies #10
POPULAR IN 2001
I would say that the kiwis were more into the animated adaptation of Curious George than we Aussies were, except I doubt that was the case given how the soundtrack was provided by Jack Johnson who was coming off the success of his biggest album over there from the previous year. He would have one more successful album two years later before fading into obscurity.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Upside down #22
POPULAR IN 2006
It’s only natural that this was more popular in NZ than it was here in Australia given how Pink Floyd in general seems to be more well loved by the kiwis than they are by us Aussies, indeed their comeback album from over a decade later was also more of a success over there than it was over here.
Peak position #1×1
POPULAR IN 2001
This was more of a success in NZ than it was here in Australia for MJ, mainly because the kiwis were generally bigger fans of the king of pop than we Aussies were and have also historically been better at separating art from the artist given how even at the time of his death, people were bringing up all of the controversies in his life for bad faith reasons.
Peak position #1×1
POPULAR IN 2009
Given how Jack Johnson was one of the biggest names in music worldwide, it only makes sense that a contemporary of his would follow in his footsteps which is where this album from Donavon Frankenreiter comes in as it managed to do just that over in NZ for the folk singer. It was the only success he had anywhere in the world, likely due to audiences preferring Johnson’s material.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
It don’t matter #22
Whatcha know about #29
POPULAR IN 2004
Given how popular Santana was over in NZ this decade in addition to this year period being surprisingly good for what I consider to be music for older audiences (you have to admit that’s the case) there’s little surprise that this greatest hits package would also be a success over there for Santana just like it was here in Australia.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Into the night #24
POPULAR IN 2007
This wasn’t as big in NZ as it was here in Australia, I’m guessing this was due to the kiwis only having love for this album upon its initial release as well as it randomly becoming a minor hit again a year after its initial release over there for some reason. At least it managed to spawn a genuine hit for her over there with the lead single as opposed to it failing to do so over here.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
I’m gonna getcha good #4
Up #27
Forever and for always #17
POPULAR IN 2002
I guess the kiwis were bigger fans of the live action Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise than we Aussies were given how the soundtrack to the second film was a massive success over there and not over here.
Peak position #3
POPULAR IN 2009
Much like here in Australia, this was the only other successful album that Destiny’s Child had in NZ given how their final album from later in the decade was a massive disappointment for fans worldwide likely due to the standards both they had for it not being met due to how well received the solo albums of Beyonce and Kelly were prior to its release.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Independent women #1
Survivor #3
Bootylicious #4
Emotion #2
Nasty girl #46
POPULAR IN 2001
It goes without saying that this would be more of a success in NZ than it was here in Australia given how T.I already had moderate success over there prior to going in a more mainstream direction that he did on this album. That said, this would be where his winning streak would come to an end given how he struggled to transition his success into the 2010’s likely due to his criminal activity.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Whatever you like #1
Live your life #2
Dead and gone #2
POPULAR IN 2008
This was a modest success in NZ upon its initial release as it was here in Australia, although its true success came when the singles ranked very high on Triple J’s year end list for 2006 which allowed the album to rebound on the charts over there but not over here for some reason. I guess listeners of the station were among the biggest demographic when it came to digital sales as that’s the only reason for this phenomenon I can come up with.
Peak position #6
POPULAR IN 2006
Given how NZ Idol wasn’t clogging up the charts in NZ, this debut album from Franz Ferdinand had more success overall in the upper echelons of their charts compared to here in Australia. It was a bit of a shock to be to see how this was pushed aside here in Australia back in the day given how anthemic the album remains to this day, although this formula didn’t work out for the Scottish band with their subsequent releases.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Take me out #16
POPULAR IN 2004
Given that the Crazy frog was a genuine hitmaker over in NZ (no seriously, he was) it only makes sense that it’s debut album would become a massive hit for the CGI amphibian over there which no doubt helped it gain infamy on the internet as it was naturally a huge success throughout Europe as well.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
Axel f #1
Popcorn #1
Jingle bells #1
POPULAR IN 2005
Much like the rest of the world, this greatest hits package from the Beatles was a massive success in NZ around the twentieth anniversary of John Lennon’s tragic murder. I don’t have much more to add to this entry as its success over there was for the exact same reason it was over here.
Peak position #1×9
POPULAR IN 2000
This was released soon after the death of Luciano Pavarotti, it doesn’t surprise me that a greatest hits package would be commissioned following his death given how immensely popular he was throughout the 90’s as well as the popularity of opera music this decade.
Peak position #3
POPULAR IN 2007
I guess the kiwis were hoping for a reunion from Led Zeppelin as this greatest hits package managed to be a massive success for them this year as opposed to it being a modest success at best here in Australia upon its initial release. Alas there’s still no signs of the band getting back together over forty years after they called it quits in 1980.
Peak position #1×7
POPULAR IN 2007
One of the biggest names of the decade in NZ was Hayley Westenra, she was a teenage opera singer who got her big break with this album over there thanks to opera music seeing a massive surge in popularity worldwide around the turn of the millennium. Her popularity over there would result in her seeing minor success here in Australia with her next album later in the decade.
Peak position #1×4
POPULAR IN 2001
The remaining four members of Westlife embarked on a tour during the early months of the year in NZ, the tour was named after their greatest hits package from earlier in the decade which meant that it was a massive success for the former boy band over there and (obviously) nowhere else in the world.
Peak position #1×1
POPULAR IN 2008
Although he never had as much success with his singles in NZ as he did in Australia, Ja Rule can at least take comfort knowing that his international breakthrough album managed to be more popular over there than it was over here back in the day. Indeed, I’m surprised he wasn’t more popular with the kiwis even though he was an east coast rapper, I guess the kiwis weren’t impressed with the “thugs need love too” phenomenon.
Peak position #1×4
Hit singles
Living it up #32
Always on time #2
POPULAR IN 2002
I mentioned on my 2001 list that the success these guys had over in NZ mirror what they achieved here in Australia, as such we have their second and final album making a reappearance on this list which became popular over there thanks to how inescapable Eminem was throughout the rest of the world.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
My band #1
How come #6
POPULAR IN 2004
These guys had an amazing run throughout the decade in their homeland even though they failed to translate that success internationally (shame really) so it makes sense that a greatest hits package detailing how far they had come in ten years would be a massive success for the band when it was released.
Peak position #1×2
POPULAR IN 2008
Given how Eminem’s earlier entry on this list was equally as popular in NZ as it was here in Australia, it makes sense that his first album with his posse D12 would also be a success over there even if it also failed to produce a hit single for him over there like his earlier entry did. Much like the Eminem show, their next album would also not have any issues with giving the group some hits over there later in the decade.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Purple pills #17
Shit on you #32
POPULAR IN 2001
Nowadays most people think of the Russian producer whenever they hear the name Zed (even though his name is spelt as Zedd) back in the day however, that was the name of a NZ alternative rock band who scored massive success with their debut album given how they were able to score a string of hits (some bigger than others) off the album before fading into obscurity as the decade went on.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
I’m daisy #15
I’m cold #19
Glorafilla #9
Renegade fighter #4
Come on down #12
Driver’s side #36
POPULAR IN 2000
You may have noticed that there’s been a noticeable improvement with entries on this list that feel a bit leftfield of what was popular throughout the 00’s, I’m guessing this was because physical sales was still rather strong in NZ during this point in time as opposed to them being rather weak here in Australia. This would explain why this victory album from Paul Potts managed to be much bigger over there than it was here.
Peak position #1×6
POPULAR IN 2007
Naturally this was more of a success in NZ than it was here in Australia due to the lead singer being a kiwi himself, you’d think that these guys making it big in the southern hemisphere would’ve been enough of an encouragement to keep going as the decade went on especially due to the success of classical music this decade, but alas they called it quits due to their failure in their homeland.
Peak position #1×1
POPULAR IN 2005
This wasn’t quite as successful in NZ as it was here in Australia, or more accurately, it had stiffer competition over there with all of the entries we’ve looked at so far on this list given how the Foo fighters were not quite as legendary as some of the legends on this list but were also among the older artists compared to a lot of the newer names on this list.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
The pretender #9
Long road to ruin #21
POPULAR IN 2007
It looks like the kiwis were equally as impressed with this album as we Aussies were, that is to say, it was well received by those who made Encore a success for him earlier in the decade and panned by those who wanted to see him return to form which he would do the following year.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Crack a bottle #6
We made you #1
Beautiful #4
POPULAR IN 2009
This was initially a minor success for Isla Grant in NZ given how this was released around the same time as her breakthrough album over there (which we’ll get to in a bit.) It became a surprise success the following year due to a successful tour she had over there where this was rereleased as a special edition package that helped boost its sales.
Peak position #6
POPULAR IN 2009
This is another greatest hits album that was a success this decade years prior to the resurgence in popularity of the band in question, I guess the kiwis were always willing to pay their respects to these guys even prior to the release of their biopic in 2018 as opposed to us Aussies who made this a flop upon its initial release.
Peak position #6
POPULAR IN 2009
It makes sense that this was far more of a success for Destiny’s child in NZ than it was here in Australia even if they found more success overall here than they did over here both with their singles and albums, of course the real success from this album came when the bonus track was chosen as the theme song for the Pink panther remake that happened to star Beyonce opposite Steve Martin.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Check on it #1
POPULAR IN 2005
This was released the previous year to deafening silence for Hinder, although at least it had a release over there that year as opposed to here in Australia where it didn’t even come out until early this year due to the success of its lead single in the southern hemisphere. The kiwis followed suit in making this a success for the band due to how popular the song was over there like it was over here.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Lips of an angel #1
Better than me #16
POPULAR IN 2006
Pacifier is actually Shihad under a pseudonym who released their first album of the 21st century under this name to massive success in their homeland, they did this due to them sparking interest in America and their management convincing them that Shihad would be a bad name for them over there for whatever reason. They naturally didn’t have any success over there, although they did achieve minor success down under.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Comfort me #34
Run #36
Bullitproof #48
Everything #36
POPULAR IN 2002
Unlike here in Australia where this at least charted the previous year for the Dixie Chicks (now known simply as the Chicks) it appears the kiwis weren’t even interested in their music until they were unceremoniously cancelled this year in their homeland for pointing out what everyone was thinking about the (then) American president and denouncing his actions.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Landslide #27
POPULAR IN 2002
