An album is defined by Recorded Music New Zealand (RMNZ) as being a type of music release comprising at least five songs or a total playing time of over 25 minutes.[nb 1] Currently, Platinum certifications denote the shipment of 15,000 copies. When RMNZ (then known as the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand) introduced certifications in 1978, to reach Platinum status an album had to ship 20,000 copies. This was reduced to its current level in 1992.[2]

The best-selling albums in New Zealand, as judged by certifications, are ABBA's greatest hits album, The Best of ABBA (1975) and Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms (1985); both have been certified 24-times Platinum. ABBA's album ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits (1992) is also one of New Zealand's best-selling albums. Pink Floyd and Ed Sheeran are the only other artists with two entries on the list. Hayley Westenra is the only artist of New Zealand origin with an album on this list.

Best-selling albums

Rank Album Artist Year of release Number of times
certified platinum 		Shipments
1 The Best of ABBA ABBA 1975 24[2] 360,000
Brothers in Arms Dire Straits 1985 24[2] 360,000
3 Come On Over Shania Twain 1997 21[3] 315,000
4 Legend Bob Marley and the Wailers 1984 20[2] 300,000
5 Bat Out of Hell Meat Loaf 1977 17[2] 255,000
Born in the U.S.A. Bruce Springsteen 1984 17[4] 255,000
7 ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits ABBA 1992 16[3][5] 240,000
The Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd 1973 16[2] 240,000
9 1 The Beatles 2000 15[3] 225,000
÷ Ed Sheeran 2017 15[6] 225,000
11 Jagged Little Pill Alanis Morissette 1995 14[2] 210,000
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds Jeff Wayne 1978 14[2] 210,000
The Joshua Tree U2 1987 14[2] 210,000
The Wall Pink Floyd 1979 14[2] 210,000
15 21 Adele 2011 13[7] 195,000
Rumours Fleetwood Mac 1977 13[8] 195,000
× Ed Sheeran 2014 13[9] 195,000
18 The immaculate collection Madonna 1990 12[2] 180,000
Come Away with Me Norah Jones 2002 12[2] 180,000
Falling into You Celine Dion 1996 12[2] 180,000
The Phantom of the Opera Various Artists 1987 12[2] 180,000
Pure Hayley Westenra 2003 12[3] 180,000
Thriller Michael Jackson 1982 12[3] 180,000

Notes

  1. ^ If a release contains multiple mixes of a single song, then only the longest track counts toward the 25-minute limit. If the playing time of different songs is less than 25 minutes and the total playing time of all tracks (including multiple mixes) is less than 40 minutes, then the release is defined as a single. In any case, if the total playing time is greater than 40 minutes, it is an album.[1]

References

  1. ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Charts – Chart Rules" (PDF). Recorded Music NZ. August 2010. p. 9–10. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006. Wellington: Dean Scapolo and Maurienne House. p. 12. ISBN 978-1877443-00-8.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". RadioScope. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011.
  4. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  5. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  6. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  7. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 17 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  8. ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart".
  9. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
Category