List of best-selling albums in New Zealand

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. 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.

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

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