NZ’s Top 40 chart celebrates 40th anniversary

Shihad, Split Enz and Tiki Taane were among those honoured asNew Zealand celebrated the 40th ruby anniversary of its Top 40 music chart.

16 acts from NZ and abroad were honoured at an industry function Auckland's Vector Arena who achieved milestones with singles and albums. These were the ones who topped the charts in four categories: Most #1s, Most Chart Entries, Most Weeks in the Chart, and Most Weeks at #1.

They were given ruby red record-shaped trophies for their achievements.

Tiki Taane’s 2008 track Always On My Mind is the most successful single of all time in NZ. It stayed in the Top 40 for 55 weeks, and was also the first digital single to be certified Platinum.

“I don't really look at what’s on the charts for inspiration but I’m stoked with what it did,” says Taane who wrote it on a battered out of tune guitar and almost considered not releasing it because it sounded too raw.

The peak music association Recorded Music New Zealand, which compiles the chart, has re-released the track on a limited edition ruby vinyl single as a double A side with Scribe's Stand Up,which stayed at #1 for 12 weeks. Scribe leads NZ acts with four #1s which stayed at the top for a total 20 weeks.

All proceeds from the single go towards the New Zealand Music Foundation which supports music-based projects at youth organisations, hospices, schools, medical charities and rehabilitation centres.

In the 40 years, there have been 636 chart toppers, the first in May 1975 being Free and Easy by Australia’s Helen Reddy. 64 of these were by New Zealand artists.

Split Enz are the NZ act with most chart entries (14) with Elton John the international act to do so (35).

Shihad (pictured) rank with soprano Hayley Westenra for most #1 albums (five each).