As is tradition for students every February, I recently spent a good 10 minutes on hold with Studylink. Normally, that would infuriate me, but this time something was different. The hold music. It started out with Brooke Fraser – Arithmetic, a soothingly powerful tune I haven’t heard in years, then followed it up with another classic throwback in the form of Come on Home – Titanium.

‘Who is this magnificent DJ compiling all my favourite kiwi bangers of yesteryear?’ I thought. ‘And how can I uncover the rest of this amazing playlist?’ The prospect of spending another 40 minutes on hold didn’t appeal, but then I realised we have a law for this exact thing.

The Official Information Act says that government organisations pretty much have to reveal any info you ask for, unless it invades someone’s privacy. So I made a request, they revealed it, and now my Spotify is fucking tops.



Aotearoa - Stan Walker



Arithmetic - Brooke Fraser



Come on Home - Titanium



Hometown - Magic



In Colour - Shapeshifter



Life in the Sunshine - Jamie McDell



Lion's Den - Sola Rosa



Loose Cartilage - The Black Seeds



Love Your Children - The Native Sons



Misty Frequencies - Che Fu



Over the Rainbow - Tiki Tane



Royals - Lorde



Something in the Water - Brooke Fraser



Take It Easy - Stan Walker



The Sun Is up Now - PleasePlease



Warrior - Kimbra



You'll Never Take That Away - Jamie McDell



Don’t Go Changing - Six60



Fade to Grey - Six60



Special - Six60



White Lines - Six60



Haumanu - Maisey Rika



Tangaroa Whakamautai - Maisey Rika



Te Rau-tekau-ma-waru - Maisey Rika



Whitiora - Maisey Rika