This was where the world was finally united with what was popular in the mainstream, it was just in time for the teen pop craze to boot.
This was an even bigger success in NZ than it was in Australia, possibly due to Smashing pumpkins already being mainstream by the time their third album was released over there which also explains how the album managed to spawn several minor hits for them where it only had the one down under.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Bullet with butterfly wings #41
1979 #9
Tonight tonight #2
Zero #3
Thirty three #7
She may not have ever had that chart topper in NZ with any of her singles, however at least Celine Dion was able to find plenty of success with her albums back in the day given how this Grammy award winning album was indeed one of the biggest hits of the decade over there.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Falling into you #21
Because you loved me #3
It's all coming back to me now #8
All by myself #21
Alanis Morrissette really struck a chord with listeners back in the day when she released her first album outside of her native Canada, although it's worth noting that the singles on this album weren't as inescapable in NZ as they were over here save perhaps for the second single which wasn't that big over here.
Peak position #1x11
Hit singles
You oughta know #25
Hand in my pocket #7
Ironic #3
You learn #13
Head over feet #27
It appears the kiwis were too much in love with MJ to allow this greatest hits/studio album hybrid to be a flop this decade much like us Aussies were, regardless of how you feel about his personal antics you can't deny he was an immense talent whose music still manages to resonate with audiences to this day.
Peak position #1x7
Hit singles
Scream #1
You are not alone #1
Earth song #4
They don't care about us #9
Stranger in Moscow #6
This was a huge success for Oasis over in NZ, so much so that it allowed their debut album to finally became a success there too which is something that wasn't able to happen here in Australia. I guess this means the kiwis were bigger fans of the Gallagher's than we Aussies could ever hope to be.
Peak position #1x8
Hit singles
Roll with it #17
Morning glory #29
Wonderwall #1
Don't look back in anger #20
Champagne supernova #16
This proved to be even more of a success in NZ that it was here in Australia, even taking into account that it did much better on the AMR charts than on ARIA, the kiwis simply loved this third album from Radiohead more than we ever could.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Karma police #32
No surprises #23
This proved to be an even bigger success in NZ than it was here in Australia, I'm guessing because Britpop was taking over the NZ charts around this time but also because the kiwis didn't seem to have much tolerance for teen pop at the time like we Aussies did.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Bitter sweet symphony #15
The drugs don't work #10
Lucky man #38
Sonnet #43
While it obviously wasn't as inescapable in NZ as it was in Australia, this debut album from Savage Garden managed to be a massive success over there likely due to how it was taking the Billboard charts by storm with its singles. The singles weren't massive here, but the album was, which as an inverse of the success of their next album over there.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
I want you #13
To the moon and back #4
Truly madly deeply #12
Break me shake me #8
Universe #25
This wasn't as inescapable in NZ as it was here in Australia, mainly because the singles didn't catch on over there like they did here likely due to them feeling out of place charting with all of the RNB and hip hop becoming popular at the time. It could be that or the kiwis were conflicted in having a then three-year-old album be a massive success at the time.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Who will save your soul #14
You were meant for me #22
Foolish games #23
Like in Australia, this album from the Corrs only achieved its bestselling status a year after its initial release due to the band releasing a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" that they would include on the one-year anniversary rerelease. Unlike in Australia, this album didn't have any songs to chart in NZ likely due to them not being released as singles over there.
Peak position #1x1
Unlike in Australia where this album managed to spawn two of Celine Dion's biggest hits, in NZ this album didn't spawn a hit for her despite it containing her Oscar winning ballad from Titanic as well as the album itself being a massive success for her over there. I guess the kiwis had also become victims of labels not issuing songs as singles and if they did, not telling them about their availability.
Peak position #1x11
Hit singles
My heart will go on #34
Unlike in Australia where the lead single from this album needed to be pulled from shelves to encourage the sales of the album, in NZ "Barbie girl" only had a short shelf life before it was pulled from shelves which allowed this album to be a success upon its immediate release over there. It's also interesting that the album cycle is slightly different over there compared to what it was over here.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Barbie girl #1
Doctor Jones #2
Turn back time #2
My oh my #12
Lollipop #22
Unlike in Australia where this had to work its way up to success, the debut album from the Spice girls was an instant success in NZ likely due to the second single being released on schedule over there as opposed to it being delayed here for reasons I can't seem to fathom.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Wannabe #1
Say you'll be there #2
2 become 1 #3
Who do you think you are #6
Well, none of the singles ended up being the biggest hit of the 90's in NZ like the second single was in Australia, however that didn't mean that the album itself wasn't a huge success over there or that the singles weren't among the most popular of their time.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Firestarter #3
Breathe #3
Smack my bitch up #8
The Spice girls were on a roll when they released the soundtrack to their critically panned film Spiceworld, mainly because their fans didn't care that the film was an utter disaster (in fact it now has a cult following) so long as the music was still infectious to listen to.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Spice up your life #2
Too much #9
Stop #9
Viva forever #1
This wasn't as inescapable over in NZ as it was here in Australia, I'm guessing because there wasn't a farewell concert that the trio performed for the kiwis shortly before its release like the one they gave at the Sydney opera house around this time. Still, it was a massive success over there given how much more popular the trio was there than they were here throughout the decade.
Peak position #1x8
Hit singles
Instinct #17
Not the girl you think you are #41
This was another album that had more of an immediate success in NZ than it did here in Australia, I'm guessing because the kiwis didn't allow anyone to dictate to them what they could and couldn't like around this time which is why there's a healthier mix of what was popular over there on this list.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Everybody #6
As long as you love me #1
All I have to give #3
This was a massive success for Bic Runga in her homeland upon its initial release, so much so that the big hit from the album even managed to crossover to Australia a year after its initial release at the obvious expense of her being a one hit wonder here. It's a shame she is because she not only had a beautiful voice, but she would go on to massive success in NZ throughout the 00's.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Drive #10
Bursting through #33
Sway #7
Suddenly strange #26
Roll into one #48
It seems weirdly natural for this second album from Portishead to be more popular in NZ than it was here in Australia, mainly because this is also true for the likes of the Chemical brothers and Massive attack who also saw more success over there despite the kiwis not being as into EDM as we Aussies were this decade.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
All mine #29
Only you #37
I guess this was another album that succeeded in NZ despite not having any of the songs released as singles over there, if nothing else I'm glad that denying physical releases of a song to encourage album sales is no longer a thing because I don't think this process has worked a single time when it was put into practice.
Peak position #3
It looks like the kiwis were also big fans of the Romeo + Juliet adaptation from Baz Lurhman this year, not quite as much as us Aussies but then again, he is an Australian director, and this was his first international film.
Peak position #1x9
Hit singles
Lovefool #1
Young hearts run free #16
This was a very bittersweet success for the band in question as the lead singer had already died of a drug overdose by the time it was released over in NZ this year. I'm not sure why this wasn't released here in Australia as posthumous albums have always seen plenty of success down under throughout history, I'm guessing because they were usually from well established artists such as Roy Orbison or Jeff Buckley.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
What I got #34
Doing time #42
While this wasn't as inescapable in NZ as it was here in Australia, Hanson nonetheless managed to have a massive hit with their debut album due to how well they connected with the teenage demographic of the day on here. Like the rest of the world, they were a one album wonder over there as their second album was a massive flop for them.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Mmmbop #1
Where's the love #5
I will come to you #3
Weird #27
Thinking of you #10
Unlike in Australia where this needed the runaway success of the third single for the album to be a success, No doubt had initial success in NZ due to the buzz the lead single created over there. Although once that third single did become a worldwide success, the album was a massive hit over there as well.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Just a girl #9
Spiderwebs #30
Don't speak #1
Excuse me Mr. #11
Sunday morning #42
Whereas at least these guys had some buzz earlier in the decade here in Australia before their massive breakthrough with their earlier entry on this list, in NZ they were unheard of before they took their music scene by storm with their earlier entry on this list. As such, their second album was a bit of a surprise entry for them given how it didn't spawn a single charting song for them over there.
Peak position #3
This was a flop in NZ upon its initial release over there, this is even after the fact that it had taken the Australian charts by storm thanks to the family group's blend of adult contemporary and traditional Celtic music. It was given a second chance this year when the band embarked on a highly successful Australian tour which convinced the kiwis to check out what all the fuss was about.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Runaway #48
Love to love you #46
I guess the kiwis were a bit intrigued with these guys earlier in the decade given how their debut album did create some buzz for them over in NZ that certainly didn't happen here in Australia. I'm not sure why this album in particular took off over there given how the kiwis seemed to have a vibrant indie scene, I guess they took a look at the Triple J year end list for 1996 and noticed their presence on there which convinced them to give the band a second chance.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Cosmic girl #29
Well given how this orchestral album based on renditions of Split Enz's back catalogue was a massive success for the supergroup Enzso here in Australia, it only makes sense that this would be at least somewhat more successful in NZ for the group in their homeland thanks to the star power of the performers on the album.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Poor boy #29
I get the feeling this was a success in Australia and NZ due to the success of the spin off band of these guys Green jelly from earlier in the decade, yeah it turns out Maynard James Keenan had multiple projects throughout his career including these two bands and A perfect circle in the new millennium.
Peak position #1x1
It appears the kiwis were also interested in U2's venture towards pop music on this album, although it wasn't really a venture and more of them being pop friendlier than what they had being at this point in their career. It was a huge success at the time for them, although time hasn't been kind to this album.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Discotheque #1
Staring at the sun #4
Last night on earth #36
Please #32
If god will send his angels #35
Even though this guy would go on to have massive success in Australia throughout the 00's, he was virtually unheard of in the 90's despite A: Triple J promoting his music and B: him having massive success in NZ with his work including this breakthrough album which was a huge hit for him over there.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Faded #28
This was the first successful album that Ben Harper had anywhere in the world, I'm guessing it was a success due to him becoming the new (then) modern Jimi Hendrix as much like Lenny Kravitz, he two was a musician of colour who was from the hard rock scene from the 90's.
Peak position #7
There was little doubt this was going to be a success for Simply red in NZ given how it was a massive hit for them here in Australia, although like Australia they didn't find much success over there after this album despite it spawning a hit with one of its bonus tracks.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Angel #11
This was a massive hit for the band as opposed to it being a mere modest success here in Australia, again likely due to how much stronger the kiwi's alternative scene was in the 90's than it was for us. Despite this being a massive success overall, it was the band's final album for a while as they would break up after this in order to pursue other projects, most notably Audioslave for Chris Cornell.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Pretty noose #18
Well, this was a massive surprise from the Brothers Gibb in NZ, mainly because they didn't even have a mini comeback ten years prior over there like they did in Australia and the UK. Still, they had become legacy acts by this stage which would more than explain the success of this album around this time.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Alone #2
I think this is the only album to be a bigger success in NZ than it was in Australia despite its huge worldwide hit not being released as a single over there, this makes it one of the very few exceptions to the rule where not releasing a song as a single will result in the albums popularity declining in that environment. I guess it didn't do the Wallflowers any favours in the long run over there as they're still a one album wonder regardless.
Peak position #1x1
For whatever reason, this greatest hits album from the start of the decade became a hit again in NZ this year, I'm not sure why as there hasn't been any news from Cat Stevens since he first released this album seven years prior.
Peak position #5
I guess the kiwis had enough love for Faith no more by this point of their career to give them one more successful album in their career, that love didn't extend to giving them a hit single from the album, but I'm sure the band appreciated the success they got over there as it was still far more than what they achieved in their homeland.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Ashes to ashes #39
The last cup of sorrow #32
At least these guys were able to achieve massive success in NZ much like they did here in Australia, although I should point out the lack of success they had with their singles as by this point, only one of their songs had charted on the NZ charts. Still, it was obvious the kiwis had a strong alternative scene during the second half of the decade that wasn't trying to be covered up by the RIANZ charts.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Lakini's juice #37
With all the industrial albums becoming a massive success in Australia, you'd think this one from Marilyn Manson would be a shoe in considering how "Beautiful people" managed to linger on the charts (albeit in the bottom half) for almost an entire year down under. The album was a much bigger hit over in NZ for the shock artist, no doubt setting him up for success with his next album Mechanical animals.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
The beautiful people #29
Tourniquet #41
It appears the kiwis were much more receptive towards the Chemical brothers back in the day than we Aussies were, this is particularly strange given how like Portishead, they were from the alternative dance scene which you'd think we Aussies would be all over at the time. I guess all of that promotion on Triple J could only do so much for these guys down under compared to their international appeal.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Block rocking beats #29
Elektronik #44
Oh, the Bloodhound gang, they certainly had a quirky sense of humour back in the day that seemed to connect with audiences. They especially connected with the kiwis as their second album managed to be a huge success over there due to the two hits that it managed to spawn for them, although this album was a complete dud here in Australia.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Fire water burn #6
Why's everybody always picking on me #7
I wish I was queer so I could get chicks #32
It's interesting that this album would flop here in Australia despite Daft Punk scoring a hit from the album here considering how the exact opposite was the case in NZ where this was a massive hit despite it failing to spawn a charting single over there. Either way, it's clear that the French duo was pipped for great things in the southern hemisphere entering the new decade which led to massive commercial disappointment for their future endeavours.
Peak position #8
This was released at the start of the decade, although its success here makes more sense given how the Brothers Gibb had a massive comeback from earlier on this list not just in NZ but throughout the world. Audiences obviously wanted to know what they were missing out on over the last two decades given how different their material was compared to their heyday.
Peak position #5
I guess the kiwis needed some persuasion into making this soundtrack to the theatrical adaptation of Evita a success given how A: it's an Andrew Lloyd Webber adaptation which tends to be a critical and commercial failure save for this one adaptation and B: it had Madonna in the starring role who usually gives in a bad performance save for this one film.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Don't cry for me Argentina #6
Much like here in Australia, this album from Blur was more of a sleeper success than it was a mainstream hit which is why it appears rather low on this list despite it being a massive success overall. I'm guessing this was due to the album failing to spawn a hit single over there as "Song 2" didn't even chart there, likely a result of it being denied a physical release due to strong airplay stats.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Beetlebum #34
M.O.R #45
Evidently the lead singer of Bread had a solo career even though it didn't appeal to anyone (at least from what I can gather) that didn't prevent him from finding success with this greatest hits album with his former band members even after the success of the band's greatest hits album two years prior over in NZ.
Peak position #9
Given how the NZ charts were far more chaotic than the Australia charts (regardless of whether we're referring to AMR or ARIA) it only seems fitting that this was a hit twice over there as opposed to it merely getting bumped up our charts whenever one of the singles were released and became a genuine hit for us.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
The memory remains #23
The unforgiven II #22
Fuel #35
Carl Doy was still able to find success in his homeland this far into the 90's, not bad for a guy first made it big at the end of the previous decade by stealing the success that Richard Clayderman had over there.
Peak position #5
Jimmy Barnes had decent success in the 90's over in NZ, as such it makes sense that this greatest hits package of his would do fairly well over there similar to how it did over here to commemorate the twelfth anniversary he broke apart from Cold chisel to embark on his solo career.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Lover lover #13
You'd think this would be an even bigger success in NZ considering that one of the film's stars is a well-established rapper, but then you remember that the title track was pulled from the shelves in order to encourage album sales for the soundtrack which as you can tell, is a tactic that almost never works in the music industry. I guess the second single managed to be a hit over there, although that was more due to it being a Snoop Dogg track than anything.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Men in black #1
We just wanna party with you #10
This was another successful album from Van Morrison in NZ throughout the 90's, he was certainly on a roll over there given how each of the entries on this side of my site managed to be way more successful than they were here in Australia.
Peak position #6
BB King was an influential guitarist who didn't see much success in his lifetime, this was the first hit he had in the southern hemisphere as this was a duets album with some of the biggest names in music throughout the twentieth century that was only a success in NZ and a huge flop here in Australia.
Peak position #9
Well at least this second album from the Offspring managed to be a success on time in NZ as opposed to their previous album which needed to become a success here in Australia before it even touched their charts. Even so, it failed to produce that big hit that all of their albums spawned here in Australia over there, in fact these guys never had a hit single on their charts in NZ for some reason.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
All I want #27
Gone away #35
Given how popular Britpop had become throughout the rest of the world this year, it only makes sense that Supergrass would see massive success with their second album even if for whatever reason that success was non-existent here in Australia back in the day. I'm guessing this would've been even bigger in NZ had the singles been released over there as this failed to produce a charting hit for the band.
Peak position #7
This was another album that managed to find more success in NZ than it did here in Australia, I guess the kiwis really didn't allow the media frenzy that MJ was going through at the time to affect their opinion of his music like the rest of the world did.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Blood on the dance floor #1
History #29
Even though I'm not shocked at this album's placement on this list, I am shocked that the kiwis didn't gravitate towards its single like we Aussies did even though Warren G released his own version which was a modest success over there at the time.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
When doves cry #34
If you thought it was confusing that this album became popular here in Australia the following year, apparently the same thing happened over in NZ this year for what I can only imagine to be similar reasons.
Peak position #3
This was the last time Bryan Adams troubled the NZ album charts given how his popularity had dwindled over there to the point where this feels more like a last hurrah for him than anything else. As least he had some better success with his singles right till the end of the decade, although those were pitiful compared to what he achieved down under.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Have you ever really loved a woman #9
The only thing that looks good on me is you #37
Let's make a night to remember #17
This was equally as popular in NZ as it was here in Australia for Michael Flateley, I'm slightly confused why though given how the riverdance craze was more of a thing here in Australia than it was over there.
Peak position #6
I wasn't expecting to feature this album on my site, mainly because I didn't think there was any love for Rod Stewart's material between his appearance on MTV unplugged and his Motown albums from the 00's. It appears the kiwis had some love for this album from him this year even if no one else in the world did.
Peak position #11
This was the last successful album that Tina Turner had in NZ, admittedly it's with an album I'm sure most of her fans outside of NZ wouldn't even realise existed given how little remembered this album is in recent memory. In fact, it was a success mainly due to a successful tour she had with the album which boosted its sales over there.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Whatever you want #16
In your wildest dreams #22
Much like it waws here in Australia, this was only barely a success for Enigma in NZ, again likely due to the controversy that their previous album sparked with its big hit "Return to innocence" two years prior.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Beyond the invisible #45
Although it was panned by critics, the film adaptation of the book series the Saint was a huge commercial success back in the day to the point where its soundtrack was a massive hit in certain parts of the world. It was particularly a success in NZ largely due to its techno soundtrack which the kiwis were getting into at the time.
Peak position #5
From what I can gather, Spawn was the first Hollywood adaptation of a comic book character of colour, it was poorly received back in the day mainly due to inconsistencies with the plot and setting (although I'm sure there was some racism in the backlash as well.) At least the soundtrack was a huge success in NZ, likely due to it being a compilation album of the alternative scene at the time.
Peak position #1x2
Given how this was a modest success here in Australia (at least on our AMR charts) it only makes sense that Puff daddy would see moderate success in NZ with his debut album as a rapper given how much more popular hip hop was over there throughout the 90's compared to over here. It definitely wasn't hindered by the singles which were all way more successful on their charts.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Can't nobody hold me down #11
I'll be missing you #1
Been around the world #3
This was a modest success for Collective Soul in NZ this year, I'm guessing the kiwis still had plenty of love for the band given how their second album was indeed one of the biggest of the decade over there despite them being a massive failure here in Australia save for their one and only hit "Shine."
Peak position #3
For whatever reason, this second album from the Foo fighters wasn't as big in NZ as it was here in Australia (at least on the AMR charts as it was on the ARIA charts.) I guess this was more due to the stiff competition the band had to compete with during the peak of its popularity which resulted in its low placement on this list.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Everlong #31
Walking after you #48
While she didn't have quite as successful a career up until this point in NZ as she did here in Australia, the kiwis were clearly in love with Enya's music regardless which makes sense why this greatest hits package of hers would also be a success over there like it was over here.
Peak position #6
Given how there was already a massively successful greatest hits album from the Police not even five years prior to this album, you may be forgiven into thinking it was redundant for Sting to release it. Then you realise this also cover his solo material which more than explains its success in NZ upon its initial release.
Peak position #5
I guess the kiwis had a bit more love for this third album from Oasis than us Aussies did as it managed to become a bigger hit over there than it was over here, admittedly Oasis in general seemed to have more success over there as did most alternative bands, proving how much the kiwis preferred even missteps like this (I feel like it is at least) over some of the more corporatised music at the time.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
D'you know what I mean #4
Stand by me #31
All around the world #24
I guess the trade-off for the lead single to this album underperforming in NZ is that Meredith Brooks was able to find success with it over there and nowhere else in the world, either that or the kiwis were confused that this was an Alanis Morissette album long enough for it to be a success over there.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Bitch #4
If you're wondering how this managed to be a bigger success for Elton John in NZ than it was here in Australia, that's due to the fact that it rebounded on the NZ charts the following year when it didn't on our charts.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Something about the way you look tonight #1
This is the part where I remind my audience that I'm ranking these albums based on how well they did in the upper echelons of the charts and not necessarily their overall success, I bring this up because this greatest hits album from Aandrea Bocelli was a massive hit in NZ even if most of its success came from the lower half of their charts as opposed to it being a mainstream success here in Australia.
Peak position #8
This was an album that could've appeared on the Australian side of my site had it stuck around longer than the initial week it entered our charts, it was one of the first hip hop tracks to debut in our top ten after all, suggesting even we Aussies had our ears plugged into the iconic Wu tang clan back in the day. Naturally the kiwis were all about these guys even if this appears rather low on this list.
Peak position #1x2
I haven't seen Shine starring Geoffrey Rush, from what I can gather it was a critical darling and a decent commercial success internationally due to it being an Australian film. It also is well known for its soundtrack which is perhaps why it was a hit in NZ but oddly enough not here in its homeland.
Peak position #8
Given how these guys found success in NZ this year, this meant that their second album which only made the cut for the Australian side of my site due to its refusal to die on our charts was able to become an instant success over there, basically confirming the nu metal band as the real deal two years prior to when we Aussies and their fellow Americans did so with their third album.
Peak position #1x1
This was even more of a sleeper hit in NZ than it was here in Australia for Janet Jackson, I'm guessing because it only bounced up the charts whenever one of the singles was released over there as admittedly each single was more of a success barring the second single which was way less popular over there than it was over here.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Got till it's gone #4
Together again #5
I get lonely #6
Go deep #13
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