Over the years, a fair few tunes have come out of this fair country, and in more recent times, some pretty kick ass music videos. Some, such as Poi E by the Patea Maori Club, have become as iconic as the song itself. What with all those awesome shots of Patea, the random breakdancing guy and Nanny Kahu, may she rest in peace.

Skipping ahead to the 90s, a little Wellington band called Shihad released a wee video gem – Yr Head is a Rock. The video has a sweet storyline of a mullet-wielding truck driver on a night shift, reminiscing bak to the days of his school prom. What makes the video awesome is the whole thing is done in claymation. Back before the days of fancy CGI, even. It’s no Wallace and Gromit, but it does feature the band reimagined in clay.

One of my favourite more recent music videos would have to be Underneath the Shade by my favourite local hip hop act, Home Brew Crew. The lyrics tackle some serious cultural and environmental issues, but keep that good old Kiwi “she’ll be right” attitude about them, and the video reflects that. It’s good for a laugh, but also makes you think, especially if you watch through to a quote from Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly at the end. Oh yeah, and you get to see them wreck a house.

Now for another Wellington one, and how more Wellington can you get then the Phoenix Foundation and Taika Waititi? I can’t believe I only just watched this video for the first time, because 40 Years is one of my favourite Phoenix Foundation songs. All shot in one take, out by the airport, Waititi stars as the ‘beach enigma’ who runs along in a fetching jogging suit, battling knights, freeing slaves, completing obstable courses and other crazy things. It’s very Phoenix Foundation and very, very Wellington. I really hope that after filming it they chillaxed on the beach with some beers.

So those are some of my faves, what are yours?

Taika Waititi stars in the music video for the Phoenix Foundation’s 40 Years