New Zealand Music

The music of New Zealand reflects the culture of the country and it is influenced by the culture of the indigenous Māori and immigrants from the Pacific region. Generally, the origin of New Zealand’s music is largely associated with the British colonial rule along with the great contributions from Europe and America. With the passage of time, the nation evolved and established its own local artists combining these foreign styles to create local music, which is distinctive in nature. The early European settlers had folk music shared with Australia's.

Due to New Zealand's geographic isolation, there was a slow growth of formal traditions based on European classical music. However these styles have also gained broad recognition nowadays. In 1975, the Composers Association of New Zealand was established, creating a more defined structure and network to the development of this classical music composition in New Zealand. Alfred Hill is the famous composer of the European music and brought late Romantic Music traditions to New Zealand. He attempted to graft them on to New Zealand themes with one notable success known as "Waiata Poi".

In the late 20th century, rock and hip hop came into vogue paving way for the popularity of roots, reggae, dub and electronica in the 21st century. Some of the popular reggae bands are Herbs, Katchafire and Fat Freddy's Drop. The 1990s saw the rise of hip hop groups like Moana & the Moahunters and the Upper Hutt Posse, primarily based out of South Auckland. Māori also do not lag behind and they have developed a popular music scene, and incorporated reggae, rock and roll and other influences. The most well-known contribution by a New Zealander to the world of popular music is the enduring Rocky Horror Show musical, written by Richard O'Brien, and first performed on stage in London during 1973. Current mainstream rock bands of note include Shihad, Opshop, The Feelers, I Am Giant, Luger Boa, Black River Drive, Autozamm, Fall Within, The Earlybirds and Shotgun Alley.

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