78rpm records produced in New Zealand

Part 2.  Recording Studio Labels

Many large and smaller towns in New Zealand had a local recording studio, where records would be cut either directly, or from a tape master, onto usually on aluminium-cored discs coated with cellulose nitrate lacquer (often known as “acetates”).

All are outside start, 78rpm, aluminium-core unless noted. Dates of use are noted where found.

For completeness, some 45 & 331/3 rpm items are included.

ANDERSEN SOUND SERVICES

Dunedin

12”, 1956

Record label Anderson Sound Services Dunedin Plunket Handicap Forbury Park Trotting Club 8th September 1956

331/3 rpm, 10”

Record label Anderson Sound Services Dunedin Norman Long Side 5 

331/3 rpm, 12”, 1964

Record label Anderson Sound Services Dunedin Hutt Valley Pip Band Dunedin Contest 1964

Kevin ASHLEY

Waimate

10”, 45rpm, 1963

 

ASTOR

Auckland

Pressed by Astor Recording Studios. 48 Shortland St.

7”, 1945

Record label Astor Productions Auckland A few words from the Choirmaster Recorded at the Boys' Home Onehunga New Zealand August 1945

10”, 1952

Record label Astor Personality Records Auckland Played at Playhouse Auckland 15/5/1952

10” & 12”

Record label Astor Recording Studios Kerridge Odeon  Record label Astor Recording Studios Auckland Dubbing Stars and Stripes Played by Madame Powdrill's Band

 

 

 

33⅓ rpm

1959

(discogs)

 

24 Grafton Road

1965

(discogs)

 

Astor Recording &  T.V. Studios 24 Grafton Road, then 31-33 Nugent St.

10”

Record label Astor Recording & TV Studio Lincoln Industries Ltd AdvertisementsRecord label Astor Recording & TV Studio Sanitarium Health Food Co Advertisements 

Sleeves

Record Sleeve Astor Recording Studio Auckland

Record Sleeve Astor Recording Studio Auckland

AUCKLAND RECORDING SERVICE

Auckland

33⅓rpm

AUDEX

Palmerston North

12”, 33⅓rpm

B&R Recording Co

Auckland

10” 78rpm

BARTON RECORDINS

Auckland

6” 78rpm

3

W. BATE

Blenheim

10” 78rpm

Record label W. Bate, David Street, Blenheim. Wood-Mears Wedding Ceremony Part 5

BEACON RECORDING STUDIOS

Auckland

10” 78rpm

(discogs)

BELLBIRD

Ashburton

10” 78rpm

BLENHEIM RECORDING STUDIOS

Blenheim

12” 78rpm & 7” 45rpm

Record Label Blenheim Recording Service George Moller plays some of his own melodies

Sleeve

7”, 45rpm

Record Sleeve Blenheim Recording Service 7"

10” bag

Record Sleeve Blenheim Recording Service David Street Paper bag style

BORHAM’S RADIO SERVICE

Palmerston North

10”, 1946

Record Label Borham's Radio Service Ltd Palmerston North Wanganui Queen Alexander's Own Band Appreciation March 1946

10” & 12”, 1946-50

Record Label Borham's Radio Service Ltd Palmerston North Here's to love and laughter  Record Label Borham's Radio Service Ltd Palmerston North Rangiuru Handicap Otaki Trotting Club 27/5/1950

Sleeve

12”

Record Sleeve Borham's Radio Service Ltd Palmerston North

BROADWAY RADIO & T.V. LTD

Dunedin

12”, 331/3 rpm

Record Label Broadway Radio & TV Ltd Dunedin A wedding service

H.L. BYRN

Masterton

10”, 1958

Record Label H.L. Byrn Masterton "Les Parre" wins at Masterton March 1st 1958

CARLTON-CARRUTHERS

Wellington.  Advertising Agency.

12” 78rpm

CHESHIRES RECORDING

Heretaunga (Upper Hutt)

10” 78rpm

CHRISTCHURCH RECORDING STUDIO

Christchurch

12” (Inside Start)

Record Label Christchurch Recording Studios Did your Mother cone from Ireland Sung by Roy Gliddon Clarence Hall at Piano

CHRISTCHURCH RECORDINGS

Christchurch

10” & 12”, 1950-51. Note design similarity with Family Recordings, and same phone number.

 

Record Label Christchurch Recordings  Record Label Christchurch Recordings Loch Lomond

Sleeves

Record Sleeve Christchurch Recordings Record Sleeve Christchurch Recordings

 

Record Sleeve Christchurch Recordings Record Sleeve Christchurch Recordings

COLUMBUS RADIO CENTRE

Wellington

Label of the Recording Corporation of New Zealand

10”, 1949

Record Label Columbus Radio Centre Ltd My Pet (Zez Confrey) Mr T. Barton Piano solo  Record Label Columbus Radio Centre Ltd To Mum with Love Bless this House Colin Merle on piano 8 May 1949

10”, 78rpm

Sleeves

10”

Known in red, brown, green, black & blue.

Record Sleeve Columbus Radio Centre Ltd Record Sleeve Columbus Radio Centre Ltd

Known in red, brown, green, black & orange.

Record Sleeve Columbus Radio Centre Ltd Record Sleeve Columbus Radio Centre Ltd

 

Record Sleeve Columbus Radio Centre Ltd

12”

Known in blue & black.

Record Sleeve Columbus Radio Centre Ltd Record Sleeve Columbus Radio Centre Ltd

Record Sleeve Columbus Radio Centre Ltd

COMBER & KERRISK

Hawera

12” 78rpm, 1957

COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE

Wellington

10” & 12”, Inside Start, 1938

Record Label Commercial Broadcasting Service Discoveries Club Theme Track 1 Closing Chorus Track 2 Verse & Chorus  Record Label Commercial Broadcasting Service Racing in Retrospect Wellington Steeplechase 1938

CONTINENTAL

New Plymouth

12”

Record Label Continental Studios New Plymouth G. Wickham Saks? Silver Hair and Heart of Gold

COURIER RECORDING SERVICE

Palmerston North?

12” 33⅓

CRAFT

Auckland

10”, 33⅓

Aurora Recording Studios

Record Label Craft Aurora Recording Studios Ltd Auckland Kay & Shane Country Touch 1968-1969

JOHN DICKINSON

In 1958, the stationers John Dickinson & Co experimented with pressing advertising tracks into plasticized card, at 45rpm.

A trial example (the finish of the 1958 New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase) is illustrated, along with its envelope.

Record Sleeve & Record Pressed paper John Dickinson & Co 1958 Grand National Steeplechase

DIXON’S SOUND SYSTEMS

Hamilton

10”, 1951-1956

Record Label Dixon's Sound Systems Hamilton Waikato Racing Club November 17th 1951 Ruakura Stakes Handicap Race Commentary by S. Tonks  Record Label Dixon's Sound Systems Hamilton Auckland Racing Club January 28th 1956 Ferry handicap Race commentary by S. G. Tonks

12” card sleeve

Record Sleeve Dixon's Sound Systems Hamilton

DOBBS-WIGGINS GOLDBERG (DWG)

Wellington

10”

Record Label DWG Dobbs-Wiggins Goldberg Ltd Wellington Castrol Ltd Advertisements

DOWN’S RADIO SERVICE

Marton

10” & 12”, 1954

Record Label Down's Radio Service Marton Invercargill march Massed Bands at Levin 28/11/1954  

10”, 1962

Record Label Down's Radio Service Marton Marton Jockey Club 2/1/1962 Juvenile Handicap 5 flags

Wanganui

10”, 1967

Record Label Down's Radio Service Wanganui Feilding Jockey Club 25/3/1967 Taonui Nursery Handicap Six Furlongs Winning Words

Sleeves

10”

Record Sleeve Down's Radio Service Marton

12”

Record Sleeve Down's Radio Service Marton

DUNFORD RECORDINGS

Christchurch

12”, no phone number.

Record Label Dunford Recordings Christchurch Wedding Service John McBell & Helen Malcom

10” & 12”, Phone 69-536

Record Label Dunford Recordings Christchurch City of Wellington Fast (speed?)

10”, Phone 75-817, 1954

Record Label Dunford Recordings Christchurch Golden Wedding Played by The Stavemasters at 1954 Contest

Sleeves

12”

Record Sleeve Dunford Recordings Christchurch Record Sleeve Dunford Recordings Christchurch

 

Record Sleeve Dunford Recordings Christchurch Record Sleeve Dunford Recordings Christchurch

ELECTRICAL RECORDING CO

Wellington

10”, 78rpm

Record Label Electrical Recording Co Wellington Cornet Solo (Tucker) Soloist: D.B.M:H. Gear Conducted by H. Neave

FAIRCLOUGH SOUND SYSTEMS

Wanganui

10”

Record Label Fairclough Sound Systems Wanganui

FAMILY RECORDINGS

Christchurch

12”, 1950.  Note design similarity with Christchurch Recordings, and same phone number.

Record Label Family Recordings Christchurch Peninsula Van Dieman 21/5/1950

FIDELITY RECORDING STUDIOS

Christchurch

12”, 33⅓, 1956       

GISBORNE SOUND SYSTEMS / P.R. STEVENS

Gisborne

10”, 78rpm, 1958

Record Label Gisborne Sound Systems Processed by P.R. Stevens The Poverty Bay Turf Club Meeting at Makaraka 25th October 1958 The Presidents Handicap won by High Fidelity

10”, 78rpm, 1963

Record Label Gisborne Sound Systems Processed by P.R. Stevens The Poverty Bay Turf Club Meeting at Makaraka Racecourse 11th May 1963 The Waipaoa Handicap 3rd Place to Kimmara

10”, 78rpm

10”, 331/3 rpm, 1966.  Note – “Not Microgroove”.

Record Label Gisborne Sound Systems The Poverty Bay Turf Club's meeting held at Gisborne 14th May 1966 The Publican's Handicap 3rd place to HYGI

GOLDEN BAY SERVICES

Takaka

10”, 33⅓

HANNAH RECORDING

Hastings

10”

Record Label Hannah Recording Napier?

HARRIS SOUND SYSTEMS

Napier

10”, 331/3 rpm, 1973

10”, 331/3 rpm, 1975.  Note later phone number.

Sleeve

10”

HI-FI RECORDING CO

Wellington

10”, 1958

Record Label HiFi Recording Co Wellington W. Gregg Co Ltd Liptons Tea Advertisements

Sleeve

Record Sleeve HiFi Recording Co Wellington Greggs Liptons Tea Recorded Commercial

HMV

Wellington

10” Commercial Recording, 1960s.

Record Label HMV Commercial Recording Wellington Maria Dallas Show U.B.A. Ltd Masterton

10” Process Recording

Record Label HMV Process Recording Wellington L.O. 3651 Kangaroo Quiz Opening and Closing theme

Sleeve

The Jungle Book, 1967

Record Sleeve HMV Commercial Recording Amalgamated Theatres The Jungle Book Recorded Commercials

 

10” Process Recording

J. ILOTT LTD

Wellington

12” Commercial Recording, 1947

12” Radio Advertising

ISLAND BAY

Wellington

10”

 

      “IMPORTANT” excised

Sleeves

10”

 

 

12”

Handstamp used on sleeves.

“IMPORTANT” excised

 

 

JOHN FRASER PRODUCTIONS

Timaru

JORDAN’S

Invercargill

12”, 1951-63

‘K’ SOUND SYSTEMS

Wanganui

10”, 1954

12”, 331/3 rpm

Handstamp on plain sleeve.

KELLY RECORDING STUDIOS

Auckland

8” & 12”

Label sticker on plain 12” sleeve

KIWI DISCS

New Plymouth

10”, 331/3 rpm. 1957.

LINTAS

Wellington

Lintas = Lever International Advertising.

331/3 rpm.

 

LOMAS

Dunedin

10”, 1956

10”

LOTUS

Wellington

78rpm

MAGNESS RECORDING STUDIOS

Auckland

10”, 45rpm, 1966

See also Race Recording Service

 

MANAWATU SOUND SERVICE

Palmerston North

10”, 331/3 rpm, 1969.

10”, 331/3 rpm, 1972

Sleeves

MASCOT RECORDING CO

Auckland

MASTER SOUND (DRURY STUDIOS)

Auckland

10”, 33⅓rpm, 1958

 (discogs)

MAYFAIR

Dunedin

Julian Lee Recording Studios

10”, 78rpm, 1954

McKay & BIRCH

Whangarei

12”, 78rpm, 1953

MELLOTONE

Wellington

Newtown Recording Studios.  (see NRS)

10” 33⅓

METRONOME

Timaru

12”, 1952

 

10”, 1953-56

 

MORRISON RECORDING

Hastings?

10”, 78rpm

August 1955

N.Z. BROADCASTING SERVICE

Wellington

10” & 12”, 1948+

NAMARA RECORDING STUDIOS

Wellington

12” Aluminium

 (Trademe)

NATIONAL BROADCASTING SERVICE

12”

12”, “Dominion of New Zealand”, 1947

 

 

16”, 33⅓, 1949

NEEDHAM RADIO and STUDIO LTD

Pukekohe

10”, 1951

NELSON SOUND RECORDING SYSTEM

Nelson

6”, 45rpm

NEW ZEALAND BROADCASTING SERVICE

Wellington

NEW ZEALAND RECORDING STUDIOS

Christchurch

12”, 1947

NEW ZEALAND RECORDING & PUBLICITY STUDIOS

Christchurch

10”, 78rpm

NRS

Wellington

Newtown Recording Studios.  See Mellotone.

10”, 33⅓

OAMARU RECORDING SERVICE (ORS)

Oamaru

10”, 1957

OCTAGON RECORDING STUDIOS

Dunedin

10”, 1952

ORLY PRODUCTIONS LTD

Christchurch

12”, 331/3 rpm

PACIFIC

Dannevirke

12”. Steel core, 1951.

12”, 1951

 

 

10”, for the N.Z. Academy of Dancing.  From the “Audio Div. Radio Traders Dannevirke”

7”

(ex discogs)

Instructions on sleeve

PHOTOGRAM

Auckland

7”, 78 rpm

On aluminium Speak-O-Phone discs, Dec 1933-Apr 1934

(Trademe)

PLATA

See Nelson Sound Recording System

PREMIERE

Dunedin

12”, 331/3 rpm

PRESTO

Generic home-recording disc

8”, recording by Ronald Castle, Wellington, 1947

 

PRESTO-CUT RECORDINGS

Levin

10” 78rpm, 1953

RACE RECORDING SERVICE

Auckland

10”,45rpm, 1966

on MAGNESS

RADIO SUPPLIES RECORD

New Plymouth

10” & 12”, 1951-62

RECORDING CORPORATION OF NEW ZEALAND

Wellington

10”

RECORDING STUDIOS LTD

Wellington

8”

 

10”, 1937

REXELS

Palmerston North

12”, 33⅓rpm, 1958

ROBBINS RECORDINGS

Christchurch

10”

 

10”, 331/3 rpm

Larger label, 1962-69

 

Sleeves

78rpm

 

331/3 rpm

 

12”

ROTORUA RADIOS LTD

Rotorua

10”

SCAMMELL and EGLINTON

Wellington

10”, 33⅓rpm, 1967

SHEPHERD’S SOUND STUDIOS

Christchurch

10”, 78rpm, 1952

SHIPLEY’S RADIO SERVICE

Christchurch

12”, 1956-58

 

THOMAS E. SIMS

Wellington

10”

12”, 331/3 rpm

12”, 331/3 rpm, 1970

SKILTONS

Palmerston North

8” and 10”

10”, 331/3 rpm, to 1970

 

SONIC RECORDING STUDIOS

Wellington

10”

10”, 331/3 rpm

  

12”, 331/3 rpm

SOUND RECORDINGS

Auckland

10” 78rpm

 

SOUNDCRAFT STUDIOS

Wellington

10”, 1938

12”, Steel core

SOUNDTRAX RECORDINGS

Ashburton

10”, 78rpm, 1950

Keynote Sound Systems

STANNAGE RADIO LTD

Auckland

10”

STARADIO

Wellington

10”

  

 

 

STEBBING’S SOUND SYSTEM

Auckland

10”, 1949

12”, 1946

 

 

10”, 331/3 rpm

STEWART’S RECORDING SERVICES

Timaru

10”

TANZA

Wellington

10”, shellac

10”, vinyl

Decorative obverse of red label

12”

  

10”, 33⅓rpm

IAN L. TAYLOR

Hawera

10”, 1960

TELESLIDE

Wanganui

10”, 33⅓rpm. For playing while early cinema advertising slides progressed.

 

“Up to the minute news for Whanganui Cinema patrons”

TIMARU RECORDING STUDIOS

Timaru

10”, 78rpm

12”, 1952

 

10”, 331/3 rpm, 1976

Sleeve

12”, on Stewart’s Recording Service

TRICITY HOUSE

Christchurch

10”, 78rpm

TRUE TONE RECORDING SERVICE

Wellington

12”, 78rpm

TRUTONE RECORDING STUDIO

New Plymouth

Sleeve

 

TRUTONE RECORDINGS

Alexandra

10”, 78rpm, 1954

WHINCOP’S RADIO SERVICE

Napier

12”, 78rpm, 1953

WILDING RECORDING STUDIOS

Christchurch

10”, 78rpm

12”, 78rpm

WORD OF LIFE

Tauranga

10”, 331/3

ZODIAC

Auckland

10”

Sleeve

Others offering recording services in New Zealand were:
(some are 331/3 rpm or 45 rpm)
JOHN POTTS'

RADIO BROADCASTING CO

V.S. RECORDINGS  Christchurch

Scans of any of the above, or others not recorded here, welcomed.

(Many thanks to Alistair Gilkison for many additions to this list plus Stephen Jones, George Boraman, Andrew Fraser & Andrew Edwards for some new labels to illustrate.)

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

 

Back to Part 1.  Commercial Record Labels

Back to Home

 

Since July 2018 the bulk of these recording services’ records now form part of the Adam Miller Collection within the Archive of New Zealand Music at the Alexander Turnbull Library.

Descriptive records for these discs are available for browsing under the reference ATL-Group-00302 at the following URL:

https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/#details=ecatalogue.964425

 

Last updated 2 March 2026
(c) 2007+ Adam Miller