Not many New Zealand artists had international success during the 80s. They tended to be big only in New Zealand and Australia. We here in New Zealand however got the privilege of seeing these artists make a name for themselves down here.
Ardijah
Came and went. Returned again in the 90s and continued on into the 00s. Lead singer Betty Anne won awards back in the day and still performs in pubs and clubs, but isn't allowed to sing any of her Ardijah songs.
Coconut Rough
A very short lived band which should have been big.They gave us us a classic one-hit-wonder "Sierrra Leone".
Crowded House
Our biggest export (With a couple of Aussies in it). At least until Lorde came along.
Dave Dobbyn
One of our most respected singer/song writers who could do no wrong in the 80s. (Except maybe of course when he was accused of inciting a riot in Queen Street in 1984 - He was cleared of the charges).
DD Smash
Dave Dobbyn moved on from the 70s band Th' Dudes and formed his own band which won all sorts of awards. Then of course he moved on to a successful solo career.
Dragon
A band that had success in the 70s and 80s and even managed to get an international hit with "Rain".
The (Dance) Exponents
I had a friend at high school who was nuts over these guys and had their name written all over his pencil case and books. I'd never heard any of their songs at that point and wouldn't start to appreciate them until they came out with their all time classic "I'll say goodbye even though I'm blue".
Herbs
Another of those bands that flew under my radar until later on in the 80s. Then I started to appreciate their earlier stuff. New Zealand's finest reggae band.
Mi Sex
A band with sex in the name? Surely they had to be x-rated? But they weren't. "Computer Games" is an all time classic as far as I'm concerned and reminds us of one of the greatest things that came out of the 80s.
Margaret Urlich
(RIP - 2022)
The uniquely beautiful, Margaret had a lot of success on her own and with different bands: Peking Man and When the Cats away. I'm surprised she didn't go on to greater success in her solo career than what she did. In 2022, she died of cancer at the young age of 57.
The Mockers
I hated their sound at first as they sounded like a bunch of retards, but they grew on me, especially with classics like "Forever Tuesday Morning" and "One Black Friday".
The Narcs
Came up with possibly one of the greatest songs ever from a New Zealand band IMHO: "Heart & Soul"
Peking Man
Brought us Margaret and Peter Urlich. Peter was one of the founding members of Th' Dudes. From what I can find out, Peter went on to a radio hosting career.
Satellite Spies
As far as I'm concerned one of New Zealand's greatest bands even though they broke up too soon. Saw them in concert when they opened for Dire Straits in 1986. Awesome!
Sharon O'Neill
Shona Laing
Split Enz
As far as I'm concerned, New Zealand's greatest band. Way superior to Crowded House. Neil Finn's first band.
Tim Finn
One of our finest singer/song writers. Founder of Split Enz.
When the Cats away
Women from various different bands, that had average success, joined together to make a name for themselves. Actually even then it was just more average success really.
Others worth mentioning
Annie Crummer
Coup D'Etat
The Crocodiles
Dave & the Dynamos
Jenny Morris
The Knobz
Monte Video & the Cassettes
The Netherworld Dancing Toys
Patea Maori Club
Prince Tui Teka
Ricky Morris
Screaming Meemees