Aotearoa album sales record highest first quarter total in four years

New Zealand artists recorded their strongest album sales performance in four years, according to the latest NZ Music Statistics report from the New Zealand Music Commission.

During the first three months of 2026, New Zealand albums accounted for 9,840 units sold from a total market of 89,140 units, representing an 11% share of all album sales.

The result marks the highest volume of New Zealand album sales for this period across the current 16-quarter reporting series. Sales were up 25.5% compared with the same period in 2025.

The report notes that recent releases from Six60 and Bic Runga helped drive sales during the quarter.

While sales were lower than the previous quarter, the result follows a particularly strong end to 2025. Taken together, the final quarter of 2025 and the opening quarter of 2026 represent a strong six month period for New Zealand album sales, highlighting continued demand for local releases.

The figures come as streaming remains the dominant form of music consumption, with album purchases continuing to provide an important revenue stream for artists and rights holders.

The New Zealand Music Commission's quarterly statistics track the performance of local music across streaming, sales and radio, providing a snapshot of how New Zealand music is performing within the domestic market. Read the full report here.