78rpm records produced in New Zealand

Part 1. Commercial Record Labels

Part 2. Recording Studio Labels

New Zealand began producing its own records shortly before WW2, using disc-cutting machines for local recording services.

Commercial record production began with Tempo in February 1949, with HMV’s Kilbirnie (Wellington) plant starting in March. Both used overseas masters.

The first NZ-pressed record also recorded here was of course TANZA no 1 – Blue Smoke, on 26 June 1949.

Where global brand labels were pressed locally, especially where the master series was also used, the evidence is usually just a small “Pressed in New Zealand” or similar. In some cases, there were also NZ-only series e.g. Columbia’s DNZ- or HMV’s HR-.

Those labels not pressed by HMV were usually done by either Stebbings, Radio Corporation of NZ or Recording Corporation of NZ.

NZ = strictly local issue. Labels are 10” unless noted. Most sleeves can be clicked on for a larger image.

Part 1. Commercial Record Labels

ARTRANSA

Pressed by Recording Corporation, c.1950.

AUROTOR

Rotorua backwards. Just six issued in 1959, pressed by Stebbing.

NZ

BOSWORTH

Pressed by Stebbing. Series ran from BA- to BE-.

CAPITOL

Pressed by Radio Corporation of NZ.

Pressed by HMV.

Recording Corporation of NZ sleeves

Same design both sides.

HMV sleeves

Same design both sides.

A. “REGISTERED USER:”

B. “MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED BY”

Some of type B had a different reverse advertising recent soundtracks.

CENTURY PARTY RECORDS

1-off 12” racing game by HMV NZ. Also found as 33¹/3rpm

CHURCH of the NAZARENE

NZ

COAST

Pressed by Recording Corporation of NZ

COLUMBIA

NZ

Columbia DNZ101 (The All Blacks’ Football Song) and DNZ103 (On the Ball) received special sleeves for the Boks’ 1956 NZ tour.

NZ

Recorded in New Zealand, but pressed in Australia, the Maori Pa label deserves a special mention.

CORONET

Pressed by Philips Electrical Industries.

DECCA

Pressed by HMV.

NZ

ESQUIRE

Pressed by Stebbings.

E1000-

FESTIVAL

FIDELITY

Pressed by Stebbings.

HALLMARK

Pressed by Stebbings.

HERALD

Pressed for New Zealand by J.E. Hough, London, c.1914. See here for full details & discography.

HMV

NZ NZ

NZ NZ

LONDON

Pressed by HMV.

NZ NZ

MERCURY

Pressed by Sound Reproductions Ltd.

Pressed by Stebbings.

Pressed by PYE.

MGM

Pressed by HMV.

MINSTREL

Pressed for New Zealand by J.E. Hough, London, c.1914. See here for full details & discography.

PARLOPHONE

Pressed by HMV.

NZ NZ

Recorded in New Zealand, but pressed in Australia, the Chief labels deserves a special mention.

PHILIPS

PRESTIGE

NZ

RCA

Pressed by HMV.

REGAL-ZONOPHONE

G 20000 series.

RODEO

Pressed by Radio Corporation.

NZ

STEBBING

“STEBBING RECORDING AND SOUND CO LTD”

NZ

“STEBBINGS RECORDS LTD”

NZ

Sleeves

For Private Recordings, see Part 2.

TANZA

“To Assist New Zealand Artists”

Pressed by Recording Corporation of New Zealand. All NZ

For Private Recordings, see Part 2.

TASMAN

Pressed by Recording Corporation of New Zealand. All NZ

TEMPO

Pressed by Recording Corporation of New Zealand.

WING

Pressed by Sound Reproductions Ltd.

ZODIAC

Pressed by Stebbings. All NZ

Pressed by Sound Reproductions Ltd.

Sleeves

Stebbing Records

Stebbing Recording & Sound Co

Stebbing Recording

Part 2. Recording Services

For references used, refer Australian and New Zealand 78s
Plus Dennis O. Huggard's booklets on Stebbing & Tanza.

Record Production Figures in NZ 1955-58

Last updated 10/5/2017
(c) 2007+ Adam Miller