The following lists the number-one singles on the New Zealand Singles Chart during the 1980s. The source for this decade is the Recorded Music NZ chart, the chart history of which can be found on the Recorded Music NZ website or Charts.nz.
A total of 150 singles topped the chart in the 1980s, including 20 by New Zealand artists. Three artists had three or more number-one singles; the most successful was U2, who spent 19 weeks at number one with five different singles. UB40 and Stevie Wonder reached number one three times, and two New Zealand acts topped the chart more than once this decade: Jon Stevens and Tex Pistol.
Two songs spent nine weeks at number one during the 1980s. The first was "Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)" by French pop duo Ottawan in 1981, and the second was "Sailing Away" by New Zealand supergroup All of Us in 1986. Not counting Jon Stevens' "Jezebel", which reached number one in 1979, four singles topped the chart for eight weeks this decade: "Shaddap You Face" by Joe Dolce Music Theatre, "How Great Thou Art" by Howard Morrison, "I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder, and "Slice of Heaven" by Dave Dobbyn and Herbs.
Key – Number-one single of the yearAnnual charts are sourced from the RIANZ website: "Annual Top 50 Singles Chart 2010" – Song of New Zealand originWhether or not a song is of New Zealand origin is determined by the RMNZ – Number-one single of the year, of New Zealand origin
← 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990s →
1980
DateArtist SingleWeeks at number one6 JanuaryJon Stevens"Jezebel"8 weeks (5 in 1979)13 January20 January27 January"Montego Bay"2 weeks3 February10 FebruaryPink Floyd"Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)"5 weeks17 February24 February2 March9 March16 MarchSplit Enz"I Got You"3 weeks23 March30 March6 AprilRy Cooder"Little Sister"2 weeks13 April20 AprilSmokey Robinson"Cruisin'"4 weeks27 April4 May11 May18 MayDr. Hook"Sexy Eyes"1 week25 MayPeaches & Herb"I Pledge My Love"1 week1 JuneThe Brothers Johnson"Stomp!"6 weeks8 June15 June22 June29 June6 July13 JulyLipps Inc."Funkytown"1 week20 JulyRitz"Locomotion"7 weeks27 July3 August10 August17 AugustMatchbox"Rockabilly Rebel"1 week24 AugustRitz"Locomotion"7 weeks31 August7 September14 SeptemberUB40"Food for Thought"4 weeks21 September28 September5 October12 OctoberDiana Ross"Upside Down"3 weeks19 October26 October2 NovemberStevie Wonder"Master Blaster (Jammin')"4 weeks9 November16 November23 November30 NovemberThe Pointer Sisters"He's So Shy"3 weeks7 December14 December21 DecemberJoe Dolce Music Theatre"Shaddap You Face"8 weeks28 December
1981
DateArtist SingleWeeks at number one4 JanuaryJoe Dolce Music Theatre"Shaddap You Face"8 weeks11 January18 January25 January1 February8 February15 FebruaryBlondie"The Tide Is High"2 weeks22 February1 MarchJohn Lennon"Woman"5 weeks8 March15 March22 March29 March5 AprilDeane Waretini"The Bridge"3 weeks12 AprilThe Swingers"Counting the Beat"3 weeks19 AprilDeane Waretini"The Bridge"3 weeks26 April3 MayThe Swingers"Counting the Beat"3 weeks10 May17 MaySmokey Robinson"Being with You"4 weeks24 May31 May7 June14 JuneSheena Easton"Morning Train (9 to 5)"1 week21 JuneJoy Division"Love Will Tear Us Apart"1 week28 JuneStars on 45"Stars on 45"7 weeks5 July12 July19 July26 July2 August9 August16 AugustJoy Division"Atmosphere"1 week23 AugustKool & the Gang"Celebration"3 weeks30 AugustScreaming Meemees"See Me Go"1 week6 SeptemberKool & the Gang"Celebration"3 weeks13 September20 SeptemberBilly Field"Bad Habits"2 weeks27 September4 OctoberCommodores"Lady (You Bring Me Up)"1 week11 OctoberJoey Scarbury"Theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)"3 weeks18 October25 October1 NovemberRenée Geyer"Say I Love You"5 weeks8 November15 November22 November29 November6 DecemberOlivia Newton-John"Physical"3 weeks13 December20 DecemberHoward Morrison"How Great Thou Art"8 weeks27 December
1982
DateArtist SingleWeeks at number one3 JanuaryHoward Morrison"How Great Thou Art"8 weeks10 January17 January24 JanuaryOlivia Newton-John"Physical"3 weeks31 JanuaryHoward Morrison"How Great Thou Art"8 weeks7 FebruaryDave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin"It's My Party"1 week14 FebruaryHoward Morrison"How Great Thou Art"8 weeks21 FebruaryMen at Work"Down Under"2 weeks28 FebruaryHoward Morrison"How Great Thou Art"8 weeks7 MarchMen at Work"Down Under"2 weeks14 MarchOttawan"Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)"9 weeks21 March28 March4 April11 April18 April25 April2 May9 May16 MayThe Human League"Don't You Want Me"5 weeks23 May30 May6 June13 June20 JuneJoan Jett & the Blackhearts"I Love Rock 'n' Roll"4 weeks27 June4 July11 July18 JulyPrince Tui Teka"E Ipo"2 weeks25 July1 AugustToots and the Maytals"Beautiful Woman"5 weeks8 August15 August22 August29 August5 SeptemberDavid Bowie"Cat People (Putting Out Fire)"3 weeks12 September19 September26 SeptemberIrene Cara"Fame"3 weeks3 October10 October17 OctoberTrio"Da Da Da"3 weeks24 October31 October7 NovemberDexys Midnight Runners"Come On Eileen"4 weeks14 November21 November28 November5 DecemberMusical Youth"Pass the Dutchie"7 weeks12 December19 December26 December
1983
DateArtist SingleWeeks at number one2 JanuaryMusical Youth"Pass the Dutchie"7 weeks9 January16 January23 JanuaryMarvin Gaye"Sexual Healing"6 weeks30 January6 February13 February20 February27 February6 MarchEddy Grant"I Don't Wanna Dance"2 weeks13 March20 MarchDire Straits"Twisting by the Pool"5 weeks27 March3 April10 April17 April24 AprilDavid Bowie"Let's Dance"5 weeks1 May8 May15 May22 May29 MayMichael Jackson"Beat It"5 weeks5 June12 June19 June26 June3 JulyBonnie Tyler"Total Eclipse of the Heart"4 weeks10 July17 July24 July31 JulyIrene Cara"Flashdance... What a Feeling"6 weeks7 August14 August21 August28 August4 September11 SeptemberDave and the Dynamos"Life Begins at Forty"3 weeks18 September25 September2 OctoberReal Life"Send Me an Angel"1 week9 OctoberTaco"Puttin' On the Ritz"2 weeks16 October23 OctoberUB40"Red Red Wine"1 week30 OctoberCulture Club"Karma Chameleon"6 weeks6 November13 November20 November27 November4 December11 DecemberBilly Joel"Uptown Girl"7 weeks18 December25 December Note: The highest-selling single of New Zealand in 1983 was New Order's "Blue Monday", which peaked at number two for two weeks behind Michael Jackson's "Beat It".
1984
DateArtist SingleWeeks at number one1 JanuaryBilly Joel"Uptown Girl"7 weeks8 January15 January22 January29 JanuaryPaul Young"Come Back and Stay"1 week5 FebruarySimple Minds"Waterfront"2 weeks12 February19 FebruaryFoster and Allen"Maggie"4 weeks26 February4 March11 March18 MarchPatea Maori Club"Poi E"4 weeks25 March1 April8 April15 AprilNena"99 Luftballons"1 week22 AprilJimmy Cliff"Reggae Night"2 weeks29 April6 MayCyndi Lauper"Girls Just Want to Have Fun"3 weeks13 May20 May27 MayLionel Richie"Hello"1 week3 JuneKenny Loggins"Footloose"4 weeks10 June17 June24 June1 JulyTime Bandits"I'm Only Shooting Love"1 week8 JulyThe Special A.K.A."Nelson Mandela"3 weeks15 July22 July29 JulyBob Marley and the Wailers"One Love/People Get Ready"7 weeks5 August12 August19 August26 August2 September9 September16 SeptemberFrankie Goes to Hollywood"Two Tribes"3 weeks23 September30 September7 OctoberU2"Pride (In the Name of Love)"1 week14 OctoberStevie Wonder"I Just Called to Say I Love You"8 weeks21 October28 October4 November11 November18 November25 November2 December9 DecemberBilly Ocean"Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)"6 weeks16 December23 December30 December
1985
DateArtist SingleWeeks at number one6 JanuaryBilly Ocean"Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)"6 weeks13 January20 JanuaryBand Aid"Do They Know It's Christmas?"4 weeks27 January3 February10 February17 FebruaryForeigner"I Want to Know What Love Is"3 weeks24 FebruaryBruce Springsteen"Born in the U.S.A."1 week3 MarchForeigner"I Want to Know What Love Is"3 weeks10 March17 MarchAshford & Simpson"Solid"2 weeks24 March31 MarchTears for Fears"Shout"3 weeks7 April14 April21 AprilUSA for Africa"We Are the World"7 weeks28 April5 May12 May19 May26 May2 June9 JuneTears for Fears"Everybody Wants to Rule the World"1 week16 JuneAlison Moyet"That Ole Devil Called Love"3 weeks23 June30 June7 JulyPaul Hardcastle"19"5 weeks14 July21 July28 July4 August11 AugustMadonna"Into the Groove"6 weeks18 August25 August1 September8 September15 September22 SeptemberUB40 and Chrissie Hynde"I Got You Babe"6 weeks29 September6 October13 October20 October27 October3 NovemberStevie Wonder"Part-Time Lover"2 weeks10 November17 NovemberJennifer Rush"The Power of Love"4 weeks24 November1 December8 December15 DecemberPeking Man"Room That Echoes"6 weeks22 December29 December
1986
DateArtist SingleWeeks at number one5 JanuaryPeking Man"Room That Echoes"6 weeks12 January19 January26 JanuaryElton John"Nikita"3 weeks2 February9 February16 FebruaryWham!"I'm Your Man"1 week23 FebruaryPet Shop Boys"West End Girls"4 weeks2 March9 March16 March23 MarchFalco"Rock Me Amadeus"5 weeks30 March6 April13 April20 April27 AprilThe Rolling Stones"Harlem Shuffle"1 week4 MayCliff Richard and The Young Ones"Living Doll"6 weeks11 May18 May25 May1 June8 June15 JuneAll of Us"Sailing Away"9 weeks 22 June29 June6 July13 July20 July27 July3 August10 August17 AugustBoys Don't Cry"I Wanna Be a Cowboy"3 weeks24 August31 August7 SeptemberBananarama"Venus"4 weeks14 September21 September28 September5 OctoberDave Dobbyn with Herbs"Slice of Heaven"8 weeks12 October19 October26 October2 November9 November16 November23 November30 NovemberRun–D.M.C."Walk This Way"7 weeks7 December14 December21 December28 December
1987
DateArtist SingleWeeks at number one4 JanuaryRun–D.M.C."Walk This Way"7 weeks11 January18 JanuaryGwen Guthrie"Ain't Nothin' Goin' On but the Rent"2 weeks25 January1 FebruaryJimmy Barnes and INXS"Good Times"4 weeks8 February15 February22 February1 MarchCameo"Word Up!"1 week8 MarchPseudo Echo"Funkytown"6 weeks15 March22 March29 March5 April12 April19 AprilCrowded House"Don't Dream It's Over"2 weeks26 April3 MayClub Nouveau"Lean on Me"6 weeks10 May17 May24 May31 May7 June14 JuneBon Jovi"Livin' on a Prayer"1 week21 JuneIggy Pop"Real Wild Child (Wild One)"1 week28 JuneWhitney Houston"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)"4 weeks5 July12 July19 July26 JulyMel and Kim"Respectable"5 weeks2 August9 August16 August23 August30 AugustLos Lobos"La Bamba"7 weeks6 September13 September20 September27 September4 October11 October18 OctoberTex Pistol"The Game of Love"1 week25 OctoberMidnight Oil"Beds Are Burning"4 weeks1 November8 NovemberU2"Where the Streets Have No Name"2 weeks15 November22 NovemberMidnight Oil"Beds Are Burning"4 weeks29 November6 DecemberGeorge Michael"Faith"7 weeks13 December20 December27 December
1988
DateArtist SingleWeeks at number one3 JanuaryGeorge Michael"Faith"7 weeks10 January17 January24 JanuaryTiffany"I Think We're Alone Now"2 weeks31 January7 FebruaryRick Astley"Never Gonna Give You Up"1 week14 FebruaryMARRS"Pump Up the Volume"2 weeks21 February28 FebruaryBelinda Carlisle"Heaven Is a Place on Earth"4 weeks6 March13 March20 March27 MarchU2"One Tree Hill"7 weeks3 April10 April17 April24 April1 May8 May15 MayPet Shop Boys"Heart"1 week22 MayBig Pig"Breakaway"2 weeks29 May5 JuneAswad"Don't Turn Around"2 weeks12 June19 JunePrince"Alphabet St."1 week26 JuneNew Order"Blue Monday 1988"3 weeks3 July10 July17 JulyHolidaymakers"Sweet Lovers"6 weeks24 July31 July7 August14 August21 August28 AugustThe Timelords"Doctorin' the Tardis"3 weeks4 September11 September18 SeptemberTimes Two"Cecilia"3 weeks25 September2 October9 OctoberTex Pistol and Rikki Morris"Nobody Else"1 week16 OctoberU2"Desire"5 weeks23 October30 October6 November13 November20 NovemberYazz and the Plastic Population"The Only Way Is Up"3 weeks27 November4 December11 DecemberWhen the Cat's Away"Melting Pot"1 week18 DecemberWomack & Womack"Teardrops"4 weeks25 December
1989