Top R&B and Soul Songs New Zealand

1
How Will I Know cover
How Will I Know

Whitney Houston

2
Rock the Boat cover
Rock the Boat

The Hues Corporation

3
Let's Hear It for the Boy cover
Let's Hear It for the Boy

Deniece Williams

4
1999 (7" Mono Promo-Only Edit) [2019 Remaster] cover
1999 (7" Mono Promo-Only Edit) [2019 Remaster]

Prince

5
Last Dance cover
Last Dance

Donna Summer

6
On Broadway cover
On Broadway

The Drifters

7
I Just Called To Say I Love You cover
I Just Called To Say I Love You

Céline Dion & Stevie Wonder

8
Love Me Not cover
Love Me Not

Ravyn Lenae

9
Cupid cover
Cupid

Sam Cooke

10
Get Down Tonight cover
Get Down Tonight

KC and the Sunshine Band

11
Part-Time Lover cover
Part-Time Lover

Céline Dion & Stevie Wonder

12
Only Sixteen cover
Only Sixteen

Sam Cooke

13
I Will Survive cover
I Will Survive

Gloria Gaynor

14
80Deg cover
80Deg

Audrey

15
Rock Your Baby (Album Version) cover
Rock Your Baby (Album Version)

George McCrae

16
Land of 1000 Dances cover
Land of 1000 Dances

Wilson Pickett

17
Hot Stuff cover
Hot Stuff

Donna Summer

18
Sorry cover
Sorry

Justin Bieber

19
Teardrops cover
Teardrops

Womack & Womack

20
Freeway of Love cover
Freeway of Love

Aretha Franklin

21
Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet) cover
Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet)

Jackie Wilson

22
Dancing On the Ceiling cover
Dancing On the Ceiling

Lionel Richie

23
Nightshift cover
Nightshift

The Commodores

24
My Baby Loves Lovin' cover
My Baby Loves Lovin'

Wanderley

25
Stuck On You cover
Stuck On You

Lionel Richie

26
Working My Way Back to You / Forgive Me, Girl cover
Working My Way Back to You / Forgive Me, Girl

The Spinners

27
I Hate You cover
I Hate You

Ariana

28
Up, Up and Away cover
Up, Up and Away

The 5th Dimension

29
Best of My Love cover
Best of My Love

The Emotions

30
Walking to New Orleans cover
Walking to New Orleans

Fats Domino

31
You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine cover
You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine

Lou Rawls

32
Breakout cover
Breakout

Swing Out Sister

33
So Emotional (Single Version) cover
So Emotional (Single Version)

Whitney Houston

34
My Boyfriend's Back cover
My Boyfriend's Back

The Angels

35
Chain Gang cover
Chain Gang

Sam Cooke

36
Easy Lover cover
Easy Lover

Philip Bailey

37
You Can't Hurry Love cover
You Can't Hurry Love

The Supremes

38
Weak cover
Weak

SWV

39
It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World cover
It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World

James Brown

40
I Got You (I Feel Good) cover
I Got You (I Feel Good)

James Brown & The Famous Flames

Best radio stations for R&B / Soul

New Zealand’s R&B and Soul scene is a vibrant mix of timeless classics and the freshest contemporary hits. Whether you’re tuning in from Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, the airwaves are currently dominated by a blend of smooth vocals and rhythmic beats that define the genre's enduring appeal. Right now, listeners are gravitating toward modern masterpieces like Brent Faiyaz’s "Outside All Night" and Khalid’s "OTW," which showcase the sleek, atmospheric production defining the current global R&B landscape. These tracks sit alongside heavy hitters from Chris Brown, whose hits like "With You" and "Superhuman" continue to be staples for Kiwis who appreciate a perfect melodic hook.

What makes the New Zealand R&B experience truly special is the deep appreciation for the golden eras of the 90s and early 2000s. There is a palpable sense of nostalgia as iconic anthems from TLC and Destiny’s Child remain in heavy rotation, bringing the unmistakable energy of "Waterfalls" and "Jumpin', Jumpin'" to a new generation of fans. This love for the classics extends to the soulful storytelling of Wyclef Jean, whose tracks like "Sweetest Girl" and "Two Wrongs" still resonate deeply with local audiences, bridging the gap between hip-hop flair and soul sensibility.

Furthermore, the inclusion of homegrown legends like Nesian Mystik with "For the People" highlights the unique Polynesian influence that has shaped the local R&B identity over the decades. Even the vintage soul sounds of the Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose find a place in the hearts of New Zealanders, proving that great music knows no era. This eclectic mix of international chart-toppers and sentimental favorites creates a rich listening experience that celebrates the very best of the genre. If you are looking for a soundtrack that combines smooth grooves with heartfelt lyrics, the current R&B and Soul trends in New Zealand offer the perfect balance of new-school cool and old-school soul.