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