List of number-one singles from the 1980s (New Zealand)

[1][2] A total of 150 singles topped the chart in the 1980s, including 20 by New Zealand artists.

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.

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 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".

Irish band U2 topped the New Zealand chart five times during the 1980s, the most out of any artist, with " Pride (In the Name of Love) ", " Where the Streets Have No Name ", " One Tree Hill ", " Desire ", and " Angel of Harlem ".
Jon Stevens replaced himself at number one when " Montego Bay " succeeded " Jezebel " at number one.
Smokey Robinson topped the New Zealand chart twice during the 1980s: " Cruisin' " in 1980 and " Being with You " in 1981.
" Food for Thought ", " Red Red Wine ", and " I Got You Babe " gave UB40 three chart-toppers this decade.
Diana Ross spent three weeks at number one with " Upside Down ".
" He's So Shy " by the Pointer Sisters claimed the number-one spot for three weeks.
American band Blondie achieved their second and final New Zealand number one with " The Tide Is High ".
Sheena Easton reached number one for one week with " Morning Train (9 to 5) ".
Kool & the Gang 's " Celebration " topped the New Zealand chart for three nonconsecutive weeks in 1981.
In October 1981, the Commodores peaked atop the New Zealand chart with " Lady (You Bring Me Up) ". Ex-Commodore Lionel Richie would later reach number one with " Hello " in 1984.
Australian singer Renée Geyer earned her only New Zealand chart-topper with " Say I Love You ", which stayed five weeks at the summit.
" Physical " by Olivia Newton-John spent three weeks at number one in 1981 and 1982.
Men at Work peaked at number one for two weeks with " Down Under ".
French disco duo Ottawan spent nine weeks at number one with " Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart) ", the most out of any act during the 1980s.
Jamaican band Toots and the Maytals had the most successful single of 1982 with "Beautiful Woman", a five-week chart-topper.
David Bowie peaked atop the New Zealand chart with " Cat People (Putting Out Fire) " in 1982 and " Let's Dance " in 1983.
" Sexual Healing " by Marvin Gaye spent six weeks at number one in early 1983.
Dire Straits earned their only New Zealand number one with " Twisting by the Pool ".
Despite peaking at number two with " Blue Monday ", 1983's highest-selling single, New Order would attain the top spot with "Blue Monday 1988" five years later.
Michael Jackson achieved his only New Zealand number-one single during the 1980s with " Beat It ", which was number one for five weeks.
" Karma Chameleon " by Culture Club spent six weeks at number one in late 1983.
Paul Young reached the number-one position with " Come Back and Stay " in January 1984.
With her band of the same name , German singer Nena topped the New Zealand chart for one week with " 99 Luftballons ".
English ska band the Special A.K.A. spent three weeks at number one with the protest song " Nelson Mandela ".
" Two Tribes " gave Frankie Goes to Hollywood their first and only New Zealand number-one hit.
Stevie Wonder remained at the top position for eight weeks in late 1983 with " I Just Called to Say I Love You ". " Master Blaster (Jammin') " and " Part-Time Lover " also reached number one.
Bruce Springsteen 's " Born in the U.S.A. " gave him his highest-peaking hit in New Zealand when it topped the chart in February 1985.
Two singles by Tears for Fears reached number one in New Zealand in 1985: " Shout " and " Everybody Wants to Rule the World ".
English singer Alison Moyet topped the New Zealand chart for three weeks with her recording of " That Ole Devil Called Love ".
Madonna picked up her first two New Zealand number-one singles during the 1980s: " Into the Groove " in 1985 and " Like a Prayer " in 1989.
Elton John earned his fourth New Zealand number-one single with " Nikita " in January and February 1986.
" West End Girls " and " Heart " by Pet Shop Boys spent a combined total of five weeks at number one in 1986 and 1988, respectively.
The Rolling Stones ' rendition of " Harlem Shuffle " spent a week at number one in April 1986.
" Venus " by Bananarama topped the New Zealand Singles Chart for all four chart weeks of September 1986.
Run–D.M.C. took " Walk This Way " to number one for seven weeks in 1986 and 1987.
Jimmy Barnes teamed up with INXS for " Good Times ", which topped the New Zealand chart for four weeks.
Crowded House peaked atop the New Zealand chart for two weeks with their highest-charting hit, " Don't Dream It's Over ".
Iggy Pop reached the number-one spot with " Real Wild Child (Wild One) ".
" I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) " gave Whitney Houston her first of three New Zealand chart-topping hits.
" Beds Are Burning " by Midnight Oil spent four nonconsecutive weeks at the top in October and November 1987.
George Michael 's " Faith " topped New Zealand's chart for seven weeks in 1987 and 1988.
American singer Tiffany Darwish topped the chart for two weeks with her cover of " I Think We're Alone Now ".
English singer Rick Astley spent a single week at number one in February 1988 with his most successful hit, " Never Gonna Give You Up ".
" Don't Turn Around " by Aswad had a two-week stay at number one in June 1988.
Prince earned his first two New Zealand number-one singles in the 1980s: " Alphabet St. " and " Batdance ".
In March and April 1989, Fine Young Cannibals spent five weeks at number one with " She Drives Me Crazy ".
Swedish pop duo Roxette picked up their only New Zealand number-one hit with " The Look " in May 1989.
Simply Red (lead singer Mick Hucknall pictured) had the most successful song of 1989 in New Zealand: " If You Don't Know Me by Now ".
Bobby Brown 's " On Our Own " rose to number one for three weeks in September and October 1989.
" Escaping " by Margaret Urlich topped the New Zealand chart in December 1989 and January 1990.
Joe Dolce topped New Zealand's music chart with " Shaddap You Face " for eight weeks in 1980 and 1981.
Bob Marley and his band, The Wailers , remained seven weeks at the top position with " One Love/People Get Ready ".
" Stomp! " by the Brothers Johnson peaked atop the New Zealand Singles Chart for six weeks.