This is a list of Number 1 hit singles in 1981 in New Zealand, starting with the first chart dated, 16 January 1981.
| Week | Artist | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 January | Joe Dolce | Shaddap Your Face | (non-album single) |
| 23 January | Joe Dolce | Shaddap Your Face | (non-album single) |
| 30 January | Joe Dolce | Shaddap Your Face | (non-album single) |
| 6 February | Joe Dolce | Shaddap Your Face | (non-album single) |
| 13 February | Blondie | The Tide Is High | Autoamerican |
| 20 February | Blondie | The Tide Is High | Autoamerican |
| 27 February | John Lennon | Woman | Double Fantasy |
| 13 March | John Lennon | Woman | Double Fantasy |
| 20 March | John Lennon | Woman | Double Fantasy |
| 27 March | John Lennon | Woman | Double Fantasy |
| 3 April | Deane Waretini | Bridge | |
| 10 April | The Swingers | Counting the Beat | Counting The Beat |
| 17 April | Deane Waretini | Bridge | |
| 24 April |
|
||
| 1 May | The Swingers | Counting the Beat | Counting the Beat |
| 8 May | The Swingers | Counting the Beat | Counting the Beat |
| 15 May | Smokey Robinson | Being with You | Being with You |
| 22 May | Smokey Robinson | Being with You | Being with You |
| 29 May | Smokey Robinson | Being with You | Being with You |
| 5 June | Smokey Robinson | Being with You | Being with You |
| 12 June | Sheena Easton | Morning Train (9 to 5) | Take My Time |
| 19 June | Joy Division | Love Will Tear Us Apart | Substance |
| 26 June | Stars on 45 | Stars on 45 | Long Play Album |
| 3 July | Stars on 45 | Stars on 45 | Long Play Album |
| 10 July | Stars on 45 | Stars on 45 | Long Play Album |
| 17 July | Stars on 45 | Stars on 45 | Long Play Album |
| 25 July | Stars on 45 | Stars on 45 | Long Play Album |
| 31 July | Stars on 45 | Stars on 45 | Long Play Album |
| 7 August | Stars on 45 | Stars on 45 | Long Play Album |
| 14 August | Joy Division | Atmosphere | (non-album single) |
| 21 August | Kool and the Gang | Celebration | Celebrate! |
| 28 August | Screaming Meemees | See Me Go | |
| 4 September | Kool and the Gang | Celebration | Celebrate! |
| 11 September | Kool and the Gang | Celebration | Celebrate! |
| 18 September | Billy Field | Bad Habits | |
| 25 September | Billy Field | Bad Habits | |
| 2 October | Commodores | Lady (You Bring Me Up) | In The Pocket |
| 9 October | Joey Scarbury | Believe It Or Not (Greatest American Hero Theme) | (non-album single) |
| 16 October | Joey Scarbury | Believe It Or Not (Greatest American Hero Theme) | (non-album single) |
| 23 October | Joey Scarbury | Believe It Or Not (Greatest American Hero Theme) | (non-album single) |
| 30 October | Renée Geyer | Say I Love You | So Lucky |
| 6 November | Renée Geyer | Say I Love You | So Lucky |
| 13 November | Renée Geyer | Say I Love You | So Lucky |
| 20 November | Renée Geyer | Say I Love You | So Lucky |
| 27 November | Renée Geyer | Say I Love You | So Lucky |
| 6 December | Olivia Newton-John | Physical | Physical |
| 11 December | Olivia Newton-John | Physical | Physical |
| 18 December | Howard Morrison | Whakaaria Mai (How Great Thou Art) | |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||