Story: Popular music

TANZA gramophone record

Wellington-based radio manufacturer Radio Corporation launched its own record label, TANZA, in 1948. TANZA's mission was summed up in its name, which is an acronym for 'to assist New Zealand artists'. Aside from early recordings made in Rotorua in 1930, New Zealand recordings had been limited to advertising jingles and discs of live recordings, which had a very short shelf life. This is the Invercargill Civic Band performing 'The Royal Water Music'.

Using this item

Mataura & Districts Historical Society

Reference: MT1996.133.2.9

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How to cite this page

Chris Bourke, Popular music – Wartime music and early recording, 1930s and 1940s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/ephemera/42622/tanza-gramophone-record (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Chris Bourke, published 16 September 2013.

Comments

Flora de Vos
19 April 2025

I am now aged 84 yrs and still remember singing Maori Battallion during morning marching at school during the late 1940's until 1952. We only sang the English version. I would like to learn both English and Maori Versions.