This was a rather slow year in music, I guess because digital piracy had taken full effect in the entertainment industry which harmed the success of certain bands and artists. At least it didn't affect everything in the music industry hence why we still have a solid selection of songs to go through on this list.
She already had a massive breakthrough with her debut album from the late 90's, so it's only natural that Bic Runga's second album would be even bigger this decade given how the kiwis had finally begun to look after their own music scene at the turn of the millennium. She would have another successful album later in the decade proving that her popularity was phenomenal but not something that would last forever.
Peak position #1x8
Hit singles
Get some sleep #3
Something good #4
Listening for the weather #14
This was the biggest album of the decade over in NZ, I guess the kiwis really wanted to listen to jazz throwbacks given how the likes of Amy Winehouse and Duffy would also receive much more success over there throughout the decade than what they achieved here in Australia.
Peak position #1x12
Hit singles
Don't know why #24
Before she became a mainstay for the controversial religious group Hillsong, Brooke Fraser was a popular folk singer/songwriter from NZ who scored a massive hit with her debut album at the tender age of twenty. While she never was able to crossover to Australia despite eventually joining the Australian religious group, I doubt she cared considering how inescapable she was in her homeland.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Better #3
Lifeline #7
Saving the world #15
Arithmetic #8
Without you #16
Given how these guys already had minor success over in NZ by the time Fergie joined their ranks for this album, it makes sense that it would be more of an immediate success over there than it was here in Australia which resulted in its being slightly more success over there. Still, this was the only reason why it ranks slightly higher on these lists as once it did crossover here, its popularity was inescapable.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Where is the love #1
Shut up #1
Hey mama #4
Let's get it started #6
Well, there's little surprise that this was a massive success for Eminem over in NZ like it was throughout the rest of the world, it's release schedule over there was almost identical to what it was here in Australia, the only exception being that "Superman" was released around the same time as "Business" due to the kiwis being unable to decide on which song they wanted to support from the album.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Without me #1
Cleaning out my closet #5
Sing for the moment #5
Superman #42
Business #14
This proved to be equally as successful in NZ as it was here in Australia, this is just further proof that tampering with an album's release schedule does little to impact its overall success even if the third single from this album was delayed here due to Australian idol shenanigans rather than to promote the album. Their career trajectory over there was the same as it was over here.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Bring me to life #3
Going under #4
My immortal #2
It's no surprise that this was one of the biggest albums of the decade in NZ given how it managed to make an appearance on the Australian side of my site, after all, if even we Aussies can appreciate the talent on display here, then there was little doubt that her fellow kiwis would make this an instant classic over there.
Peak position #1x22
Well so much for denying the release of a single from the album in order to encourage its sales, not only was all four singles released over in NZ as opposed to only three of them here in Australia, the other three songs were also far more successful over there as well as the album itself, proving that tampering with an albums release will only discourage audiences from checking out what the artist has to offer.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Get the party started #1
Don't let me get me #1
Just like a pill #2
Family portrait #5
The success this debut album from Delta Goodrem had over in NZ feels more in line with what it should've achieved here in Australia given how ridiculously overplayed it was here back in the day, indeed I don't think there was any backlash to the Neighbours star over there or even internationally as this did manage to crossover worldwide due to its success as well as her role in the TV soap opera.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Born to try #1
Lost without you #4
Innocent eyes #14
Not me not I #11
This third album from the Feelers was initially only a modest success upon its release in their homeland, I'm guessing because the kiwis felt that their time was up and wanted to move onto other local rock bands of the day such as Goldenhorse or Evermore. It was given a second chance a year after its initial release due to the surprise success of one of its singles which in turn made it a hugely successful album.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Larger than life #16
Weapons of war #34
The fear #13
Stand up #17
While this album's true success didn't come until the third single from the album became unavoidable on the radio in NZ just like it was internationally, its initial success was more palatable over there compared to what it achieved here in Australia which suggests that the kiwis still had a stronger alternative scene compared to us Aussies back in the day.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
In my place #24
Clocks #13
God put a smile on your face #35
This was equally as successful in NZ as it was here in Australia, I bring this up because Sony felt that by not releasing the third single here in Australia, it would drive up album sales for Avril Lavigne which clearly wasn't the case. For what it's worth, her next two albums saw more success over here than what they did over there even though Sony didn't tamper with their release schedule here when they came out.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Complicated #1
Sk8er boi #2
I'm with you #5
Mobile #26
From what I can gather, Elemeno P were the NZ equivalent of the likes of the Living end and Grinspoon, that is to say, a pop punk band who appealed to the disenfranchised youth of the day which resulted in their popularity in their homeland. This was their debut album, which was a massive success for the band, although it appeared that their fans would quickly grow tired of them as their subsequent follow ups failed to catch on.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Fast time in Tahoe #32
Verona #10
Urban getaway #27
I guess the kiwis had decided that Dido would become an album artist with her sophomore effort like she was here in Australia given how none of the singles on this album became a massive hit for her like the ones on her previous album. Still, this was an impressive feat for her given how many of her contemporaries struggled to even have one successful album this decade worldwide, let alone two.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
White flag #12
Life for rent #17
This was the debut album from Nesian Mystik, a hip-hop group from NZ who saw massive success throughout the decade with their singles even though this was their only successful album in their career. Indeed, they were more of a singles artist given how even prior to them calling it quits in 2011, they still managed to achieve massive success with their songs in their local music scene.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Nesian style #9
It's on #2
For the people #5
Unity #7
Brothaz #13
It appears the kiwis were willing to have this double album from the two members of Outkast be an instant success over there as opposed to us Aussies where it needed to be declared album of the year at the Grammys before we made it a success here. Evidently, the duo released one more album later in the decade that was such a critical and commercial failure that it prompted them to go their separate ways.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Hey ya #2
The way you move #6
Roses #5
Unlike in Australia where this album had most of its success from the lower half of the charts, it appears the kiwis were more consistently impressed with the album cycle that it managed to remain in the upper half of their charts for much longer during its chart run. As such, it manages to have a more accurate placement on this list with how popular it was in both countries back in the day.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Somewhere I belong #1
Numb #13
From the inside #27
Breaking the habit #50
This proved to be more of an immediate success for Audioslave in NZ than it did here in Australia, although admittedly both Soundgarden and especially Rage against the machine had infinitely more success over there during their respective heydays in the 90's than they did here, so this hybrid of the two bands would naturally be more receptive to the kiwis than us Aussies back in the day.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Like a stone #14
I am the highway #36
By far the most successful rapper from NZ was Scribe, at least if we're looking at how well they've all done here in Australia he is given how this album managed to appear on the Australian side of this site. Predictably, it was a massive success in his homeland given how it managed to spawn two of the biggest hits of the decade for him over there that even saw minor success down under.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Stand up #1
Not many #2
Dreaming #1
This took its sweet time in finding success over in NZ, in fact it wasn't until fifteen months after its initial release that it finally became a best seller for the indie band Goldenhorse even after it spawned a massive sleeper hit which initially brought it some mainstream success the year prior. It took a circuitous route to its success; however, it paid off as their next album was also a big hit for them.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Maybe tomorrow #10
Wake up brother #17
Northern lights #43
Unlike in Australia where this greatest hits album was a massive hit throughout its initial run on the charts, this became a hit twice in NZ as it quickly fell off their charts not long after its initial release only to return once Maurice Gibb tragically passed away a year later.
Peak position #1x2
Well, there was little doubt that Eminem's soundtrack to his autobiographical film was going to be a massive success for him over in NZ given how it was released during the height of his popularity worldwide, its success was exactly the same there as it was here hence why I don't have much to add in this commentary.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Lose yourself #1
OK so perhaps I oversold that this was more popular here in Australia than it was in NZ, that's certainly true given this album doesn't appear as high on this list as it did on the Australian side of this site, however it was still a massive hit for Ben Harper and even led to him having one more successful album later in the decade over there, which shoots down my theory that the kiwis had grown tired of his music.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
With my own two hands #14
Diamonds on the inside #13
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 #1x2
Hit singles
Flake #6
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
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
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
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 #1x1
Hit singles
Nil by mouth #38
Room to breathe #32
S.U.I.T #36
Phlex #3
Blank #42
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 #1x7
Hit singles
Electrical storm #5
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 #1x2
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 #1x1
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 #1x1
Hit singles
I'm gonna getcha good #4
Up #27
Forever and for always #17
Although this debut album from Katchafire appears quite low on this list, it was indeed one of the biggest hits of the decade in their native NZ albeit by charting for a considerable amount of time on the lower half of their charts, hence its low placement on this list. There's still one more album to come from the band that will appear on this site even if this is their only album to spawn hits for them.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Giddy up #4
Who you with #10
Get away #8
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 #1x1
Hit singles
Comfort me #34
Run #36
Bullitproof #48
Everything #36
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
Whereas these guys were very unsuccessful here in Australia (likely due to there apparently being a third round of the boy band wars that we Aussies didn't pay much mind towards) Westlife did quite well over in NZ which allowed their first greatest hits package to be a massive success for them over there.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Unbreakable #44
Given how immensely popular his debut album was in NZ back in the day, it only makes sense that the success his first two albums had over there would be the complete inverse of what they achieved here in Australia albeit if the less popular of the two albums was still a massive mainstream success.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
The horizon has been defeated #43
Taylor #33
You'd think this would've been even bigger in NZ than it was here in Australia given how this spawned a genuine hit for Santana over there that was only a sleeper hit over here, alas it only makes the cut due to it randomly rebounding on their charts this year likely due to the singles having enough airplay over there to chart where they didn't over here.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
The game of love #7
Feels like fire #26
Why don't you and I #21
There was no escaping the king of rock and roll this year anywhere in the world given how both Ocean's eleven and Disney's Lilo and Stitch managed to bring the legend back into the mainstream thanks to how much both films loved his catalogue, as such we have this greatest hits package becoming a massive hit in NZ like it was here in Australia.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
A little less conversation #1
This has the same circuitous route to its success in NZ as it did here in Australia in that it required the success of its second single a year after its initial release to make it big over there, the difference of course is that said single managed to become a much bigger hit over there than it was over here likely due to how much radio airplay it received back in the day and that factoring into the NZ charts.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
No such thing #14
Your body is a wonderland #9
Why Georgia #23
It looked like RHCP were beginning to lose their mainstream popularity over in NZ as this was also less successful over there than it was over here back in the day, however their fortunes were restored later in the decade when Stadium arcadium became one of the biggest albums of the decade over there.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Fortune faded #37
This was far more successful in NZ than it was here in Australia for No doubt, I guess this was proof that the kiwis preferred Gwen's career when she was part of the band rather than her solo outing giving that her two albums would be less popular over there than they were over here.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
It's my life #8
Although this album's lower placement on this list was more due to it being a sleeper hit in NZ as it mostly confided itself in the lower half of their charts as opposed to here in Australia where it spent a healthy run on the upper echelons of our charts, it was still far less successful over there due to it not lasting nearly as long on their charts overall suggesting the kiwis were torn with her breaking away from Disney.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Dirrty #20
Beautiful #1
Fighter #14
Can't hold us down #2
The voice within #16
I guess the kiwis were a bit kinder to these guys going into the new millennium, as such it makes sense that this greatest hits package would be slightly more successful over there than it was over here given how much more popular the band was overall with the kiwis compared to us Aussies.
Peak position #2
By all accounts, this was Atomic Kitten's biggest album in NZ given how it peaked during the Christmas period of this year as well as not requiring a deluxe edition to boost its sales like their debut from the previous year did. Indeed, this album's success led to the trio sparking interest in America which resulted in them scrambling together an album that was a success in NZ the following year.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
It's OK #16
The tide is high #1
The last goodbye #11
Much like here in Australia, this was also a huge success in NZ even if once again its low placement is due to its success coming from when it charted during the lower half of their charts which is why some of the albums outrank it on this list as they charted longer in the upper echelons of their charts whilst these two were accumulating their fanbase from behind the scenes over there.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
I just don't know what to do with myself #34
These guys were on a roll this decade as they managed to achieve massive success with their fourth album following the disappointment of their third album which it turns out was a direct sequel to their second album. Their next album would struggle for popularity, mainly because it would compete with lead singer Tiki Taane's debut album who would leave the group after this album.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Dancehall girl #34
I would've thought this greatest hits package would've done much better in NZ than it did here in Australia given how much more the kiwis loved Elton John over the years than we Aussies did, alas their love for his work at this point in time was only equal to our love of his work hence why this didn't do any better over there than it did over here.
Peak position #8
Although this was a minor hit in NZ upon its 1997 release, it apparently was given a second chance this year where it did considerably better for CCR's label over there despite it failing to repeat its success here in Australia around this time.
Peak position #4
I would've thought this was more of a success in NZ than it was here in Australia given how much more popular Nirvana was over there throughout the 90's, at least it managed to reappear on this side of my site even if it has a shockingly lower placement on here than it did on the Australian side.
Peak position #2
I guess the kiwis had grown tired of MJ when he released this greatest hits package given how much less popular it was over there than it was over here, although at least this did decently well back in the day before it achieved its full success when he passed away later in the decade.
Peak position #10
Given how Australian Idol was a huge success in NZ, it only makes sense that the victory album from its winner was a massive hit over there even if it didn't reach the dizzying heights of success that it achieved over here upon its initial release.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Angels brought me here #1
All I need is you #5
This was supposed to be Atomic Kitten's debut album over in America given how the trio had sparked interest over there due to how popular they were during the first half of the decade; the kiwis saw this as a greatest hits album as it was released over there to overlook how well they had done up until this point.
Peak position #7
Well, the singles might not have been as popular in NZ as they were here in Australia, however at least this breakthrough album from Good Charlotte managed to be as popular there as it was over here albeit as a sleeper hit likely due to the singles only being big on their airplay charts. This was their only successful album over there, proving the kiwis didn't love their later material like we Aussies did.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Lifestyles of the rich and famous #33
The anthem #27
Girls and boys #25
Unlike here in Australia where this continuously charted throughout the decade, in NZ it was only a success upon its initial release for Fleetwood Mac which suggests that the love for their back catalogue hadn't fully set in during the 00's and would only come in the 2010's during the age of streaming.
Peak position #5
I'm a bit surprised this wasn't more popular in NZ than it was here in Australia, especially given how the singles certainly were on their charts. I guess they only liked the singles and felt that the album as a whole was a bit of a drag as it didn't even rechart whenever each of the singles were released and exited their charts rather quickly following its initial release.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Feel #7
Come undone #25
Something beautiful #7
Sexed up #25
It looks like Russell Watson was here to stay in NZ given how this album managed to be a big success over there following the success of his breakthrough album from the previous year.
Peak position #6
Unlike here in Australia where this album had a slow start to its success but eventually became one of the biggest of the decade, it was a flop for Matchbox 20 in NZ and only became a decent success when it spawned their biggest international hit with "Unwell" which admittedly became their first big hit over there with the help of airplay.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Unwell #8
Bright lights #48
I was a bit surprised this wasn't more of a hit for Barbra Streisand in NZ given how this was a bit of a comeback for her here in Australia, I guess the kiwis had grown tired of her by the new millennium and only made this a hit out of pure obligation.
Peak position #11
Surprised to see this so low on this side of my site? It appears the kiwis weren't very impressed with this solo outing from Beyonce given how it only became a success due to its signature track "Crazy in love" almost topping their charts over there. The album had left the charts by the time "Baby boy" followed in its footsteps, suggesting they considered her to be an albums artist.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
03 Bonnie and Clyde #4
Crazy in love #2
Baby boy #2
Me myself I #18
Naughty girl #6
This is the only album from Leann Rimes to appear on the NZ side of this site, although considering her only appearance on the Australian side of my site was her debut from back in 1996, I guess this means that only one of her albums could be successful in each country in the southern hemisphere throughout her career. It turns out that the kiwis would rather that be her pop album and us Aussies her country album.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Life goes on #4
Suddenly #24
Well, I suppose Sean Paul was able to make up for not having a single hit in NZ by having his second album be a massive hit over there, although that mainly came when his feature on Beyonce's "Baby boy" managed to become a huge hit worldwide which suggests that he was only a household name over there thanks to her sex jam that appeared on her album (which failed to reappear on this side of my site.)
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Get busy #19
Baby boy #2
Like glue #18
This was slightly more successful in NZ for Celine Dion; I'm guessing the kiwis were a bit more forgiving for that infamous performance of an AC/DC track she gave in Vegas the previous year with Anastacia than we Aussies were (although we were clearly forgiving of Anastacia's part) although this wasn't enough for her momentum to keep going over there like it had previously done.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
I drove all night #24
As there was a different greatest hits album that became popular for Barry White at the turn of the century in NZ, it only makes sense that this was the album that became popular over there once he tragically passed away this year, although no such album was a success here in Australia due to the lack of success he had during his lifetime in our music scene.
Peak position #6
It had been exactly twenty years since George Benson last troubled the charts anywhere in the world with In your eyes, it seems appropriate that he would score one final entry on this side of my site with a greatest hits package given how his previous entry was with another album with this exact title.
Peak position #4
There was no stopping Bic Runga throughout the 00's as her live album with the Christchurch symphony became a modest success for her due to the success of her top entry on this list. Indeed, it wouldn't be until the early 2010's where her momentum would finally slow down for her.
Peak position #7
It appears that the lead single from Kelly Rowland's solo debut also appearing on Nelly's second album from the previous year did no favours for it in NZ as was the case here in Australia, although at least its second single convinced us Aussies and kiwis to finally give the Destiny's child singer a chance early on in the year.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Dilemma #2
Stole #3
Can't nobody #38
This will be Disturbed's only new entry on this side of my site given how their popularity didn't explode until much later in the decade despite them initially coming from the nu metal crowd with this second album of theirs, indeed it appears the kiwis were more into the nu metal scene than we Aussies were if this managed to be more of a success over there than it was over here.
Peak position #1x1
Much like here in Australia, this album might have been critically panned in NZ, but that didn't stop it from being a commercial success over there due to fans feeling like it was a return to form following a decade of selling out. Of course, their next album Death magnetic would be a true return to form which only solidified this as being one of the black sheep from the band's discography (the other being Lulu.)
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
St anger #38
Frantic #23
I guess the tradeoff for the lead single to this soundtrack not being as success in NZ as it was here in Australia is that said soundtrack would be more successful over there than it was over here. The film has a polarising reception to this day as many people feel that it doesn't live up to the standards set up by the first film, that and its eight-year gap from the first film making it feel like a pointless sequel.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Shake ya tailfeather #3
I should point out this was a particularly slow year for music in NZ as by all accounts this album only makes the cut due to the lack of competition there was for candidates for this list. Even so, it's a bit surprising this was less popular in NZ than it was throughout the rest of the world given that it’s the soundtrack to an Oscar winning film that was also a huge commercial success.
Peak position #13
This was another sleeper hit in NZ throughout the decade, it was the second album that David Gray released which was pushed aside for the entries above this list back in the day. He would find more mainstream success with his next album later in the decade due to it being better in line with the trends of the day.
Peak position #6
I'm a bit surprised this underperformed for Carly Binding in her homeland considering A: she was the prominent member of a popular girl group (Truebliss) and B: it spawned two huge advanced singles for her over there. I guess this was due to an oversaturation of female singer/songwriters at the time, that or fans of her band were confused with the change in music direction on this release.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Alright with me #10
We kissed #7
Love will save me #18
This is it #12
We have one final album for this list that was a sleeper hit over in NZ, I'm surprised it wasn't a mainstream success like it was here in Australia given how well the remix album J to tha lo did the previous year over there. Her career trajectory would play out the same in NZ as it did here in Australia moving forward.
Peak position #19
Hit singles
Jenny from the block #6
All I have #1
I'm glad #22
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