Essential New Zealand Albums

Nick Bollinger presents picks from his book '100 Essential New Zealand Albums'.

Presented and produced by Nick Bollinger

A vintage CD featuring Nick Bollinger's album on a blue background. The text says "Esseential New Zealand Albums"

RNZ exclusive

This podcast is only available on the RNZ website and apps, ad‑free and uninterrupted.

Shihad - Killjoy

All episodes:

Aotearoa - Tihei Mauriora & He Waiata Mo Te Iwi

Season 5 / Episode 1
For a band whose underlying mission was to address ideas about what this country could be, there could not have been a more apt name than Aotearoa. This Wellington band made just two albums: Tihei Mauriora and He Waiata Mo Te Iwi, released in 1985 and 1987, and which have since been combined on a single CD. In this episode Nick Bollinger talks to Aotearoa’s founder Ngahiwi Apanui and explores the background to these essesntial New Zealand albums.
Exclusive
Aotearoa - Tihei Mauriora & He Waiata Mo Te Iwi Album Cover

Shihad - Killjoy

Season 5 / Episode 2
Shihad, New Zealand’s best-known hard rock band, made ten albums during a 37-year career, but ‘Killjoy’ stands out amongst them. Nick Bollinger explores the reasons why in a special episode of Essential New Zealand Albums.
New episode
Killjoy, Shihad’s second album, came out in 1995.

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