
Pop Culture
Happy 21st Birthday NZ Music Month!
OPINION
21 years ago this month the NZ Music Commission along with other organisations ran a promotion – 31 days celebrating our country's music, seemingly a spin off on a larger scale of NZ Music Week originally launched back in 1997.
by Linda Heymans I 11 May 2021

The wonderful thing about this campaign is it gives our local artists a medium to have that dedicated showcasing and gives us an opportunity to celebrate NZ music’s tremendous journey.
New Zealand music has come a long way after years of international music saturating our airwaves, helping grow this event into a nationwide celebration across all media facets.
Most notably this year, a documentary-style tv series will screen - following on from the 2019 number one album, Waiata / Anthems, musical artists from around Aotearoa translate and record their songs in te reo Māori.
For interest's sake I have complied songs from New Zealand, since the inception of this idea:
2000
Lydia - Fur Patrol
Screams From The Old Plantation - King Kapisi
2001
Youthful - Anika Moa
Fade Away - Che Fu
2002
Get Some Sleep - Bic Runga
For The People - Nesian Mystik
2003
Stop, Drop & Roll - Mareko
Stand Up - Scribe
2004
Getting Stronger - Adeaze
Blue Smoke - Pixie Williams
2005
Won’t Give In - Finn Brothers
Wandering Eye - Fat Freddy’s Drop
2006
Bathe In The River - Mt Raskil Preservation Society, Hollie Smith
Down Time - Aaradhna
2007
Second Chance - Liam Finn
Always On My Mind - Tiki Taane
2008
My Delirium - Ladyhawke
Wild Out (Chooohooo) - Savage
2009
Ghetto Flower - J Williams
Brother - Smashproof
2010
Cruel - Dane Rumble
Like Water - Ladi 6
2011
Don’t Forget Your Roots - Six60
Girl In Stilettos - Little Stranger
2012
Sierra Leone - Coconut Rough
Alligator Skin - Villainy
2013
In Colour - Shapeshifter
Lovely Lady - John Hanlon
2014
Step On Up - Benny Tipene
Bridges - Broods
2015
New Rush - Gin Wigmore
Po Marie - Itty Bitty Beats
2016
Don’t Worry ‘Bout It - Kings
Kind Of Love - Maala
2017
If Only - TEEKS
Controller - L.A.B.
2018
Woke Up Late - Drax Project
Years Gone By - Avantdale Bowling Club
2019
Soaked - Benee
The Barrel - Aldous Harding
2020
Not My Neighbour - Niko Walters
Savage Love - Jawsh 685, Jason Derulo (cheeky choice)
2021
Just A Little Bit - Tomorrow People
Jealous - Mahalia
You’ll note, I found a minimum of 2 different artists per year - I can’t say I’m surprised, but it is still something of wonder.
Join the team on the 135 Playlist as we help celebrate this AMAZING musical month!