Hayley Breaks Kiwi Chart Record

Sixteen-year-old Hayley Westenra has broken the record for the number of weeks a New Zealand album has been #1 in the New Zealand Top 50 Chart.

‘Pure’, now four times platinum, first charted at #1 on August 3 and has since charted consistently at the top of the charts (10 weeks at #1 and five weeks at #2). She takes the record from Crowded House and Bic Runga, who each spent eight weeks at #1.

In the UK meanwhile, ‘Pure’ has sold nearly 250,000 copies and is still in the Top 15 (#11 last week). And in Japan the Christchurch teen’s rendition of Amazing Grace is currently at #30 on the national airplay chart and features heavily throughout one of the most popular Japanese sitcoms called Mezamashi. ‘Pure’ is set for release there on November 19.

‘At Home’, a special edition of ‘Pure’ is released on November 17, featuring new tracks recorded recently in the UK.