Why do New Zealand songs mean so much to us?
Music writer Nick Bollinger explores the cultural significance of New Zealand music in his new podcast series, 'Song Navigator.' The series examines how local compositions reflect the national identity through various genres including hip-hop, folk, and traditional waiata.
Why it matters
It highlights the role of arts and media in shaping and preserving national cultural identity.
In his new RNZ podcast, Nick Bollinger investigates why Kiwi tunes strike a chord like no others can.
Nick Bollinger Music Writer 16 September 2026 5 min read Caption: Clockwise from top left: Herbs, Princess Chelsea, John Hore and Howard Morrison, and Te Kaahu. Photo credit: RNZ Do songs written by New Zealanders say something that songs from other places don’t? Might a closer listen to a few of these songs tell us something about ourselves?
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