Best New Zealand Music: Our Recommendations for your time in Aotearoa

Classic Kiwi singalongs

Every country has songs that seem to belong to everyone. In New Zealand, many of those songs are ideal for travel because they are generous, familiar, and easy to sing along to, even if you only know half (or none) of the words.

This section is full of the tracks that many New Zealanders grew up hearing at barbecues, on radio stations, at sports grounds and in family cars. Some are polished pop songs, some are pub-rock staples, and some have become part of the national soundscape.

Dave Dobbyn deserves a special place here. Songs like Loyal and Slice of Heaven have become deeply woven into New Zealand popular culture. Split Enz and Crowded House also belong in this category, particularly for visitors who may already know their music but may not realise how strongly connected it is to New Zealand’s music story.

Reggae, Roots, Dub, and Pacific sounds

The easily recognisable reggae sound is woven through all genres of New Zealand music. In the 1970s and 80s, Māori, Pasifika, and urban communities drew parallels with the messaging, stories and experiences of their Jamaican counterparts, seeing reggae quickly become entwined with our own music identity. The reggae sound has carried through to the country’s love of outdoor festivals and beachside gatherings. The sound is warm, relaxed, rhythmic, and deeply suited to any New Zealand travel.

Herbs were pioneers in this space, combining reggae with Pacific identity, political awareness, and local storytelling. Later, bands such as Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Black Seeds, Katchafire, TrinityRoots, and L.A.B brought reggae, dub, soul, funk, and roots music to wider audiences.

Fat Freddy’s Drop are especially good road trip companions. Their tracks often build slowly and stretch out, which makes them perfect for long drives where you want music that settles in rather than rushes you along.

Hip hop, Soul, and Urban Pacific Pop

New Zealand hip hop has its own voice, shaped by local slang and cultural identity in South Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and the country’s small but highly creative music scenes.

In the 1990s, artists such as DLT, Che Fu, and OMC helped bring local hip hop and Pacific pop to a much wider audience. OMC’s How Bizarre became a huge international hit, while DLT featuring Che Fu’s Chains remains one of the defining New Zealand songs of the era.

The 2000s brought Scribe, Nesian Mystik, Savage, and King Kapisi further into the mainstream. These artists gave New Zealand hip hop a stronger public presence, with music that reflected local places, local voices, and Pacific influence

Pop and global New Zealand hits

New Zealand may be small, but its pop music has travelled a long way.

Lorde’s rise in the early 2010s was a major moment for New Zealand music internationally. Royals became a global hit, and her success helped draw attention to the country’s modern songwriting talent. Since then, artists such as BENEE, BROODS, Drax Project, Kimbra, and The Naked and Famous have continued to show the range of New Zealand pop.

This section is especially useful if your playlist needs to work for a mixed group. These songs are accessible, polished, and familiar enough for international travellers, while keeping the soundtrack local.

Folk and Country

New Zealand’s folk, country, and alternative singer-songwriter scenes are ideal for these moments. Artists such as Marlon Williams, Aldous Harding, Nadia Reid, Tiny Ruins, and Reb Fountain bring space, mood, and lyrical depth to a playlist.

Marlon Williams draws on country, folk, bluegrass, and Māori language, creating music that feels both old and new. Aldous Harding’s songs are strange, sparse, and distinctive. Nadia Reid and Tiny Ruins offer beautifully crafted songs that sit well with quiet landscapes.

Rock, alternative, and Big-Energy

Sometimes the road calls for something louder.

New Zealand has a strong rock and alternative tradition, from pub-rock favourites to heavier acts with international followings. Shihad are one of the country’s most important rock bands, with a career that spans decades and a catalogue full of tracks that suit big skies and open roads.

You can also bring in Head Like a Hole, Devilskin, and Alien Weaponry for a heavier edge. Alien Weaponry are particularly interesting because they combine metal with Te Reo Māori, history, and cultural themes, creating music that is powerful and distinctly from Aotearoa.

Electronic, Dance, and Festival favourites

New Zealand’s electronic and festival scene is another strong addition to any playlist, where you want rhythm without too much distraction.

Artists such as Shapeshifter, Salmonella Dub, Pitch Black, and Sola Rosa bring together electronic music, dub, soul, drum and bass, and live instrumentation. Their music has been a major part of New Zealand’s summer festival culture and works well for scenic driving when you want steady momentum.

The best New Zealand travel playlist is not just a collection of songs, it's a way to travel with a stronger sense of place.

New Zealand music tells stories of language, landscape, creativity, protest, identity, and home. Some songs are made for singing loudly with friends, others are better suited to quiet roads, changing weather, and big views.

Don’t worry, you don’t even need to create a playlist yourself – here’s the link to our guide's tried and true Spotify playlist. A must-have on all our trips!