For a long time, New Zealand was mostly known as the spectacular backdrop of the Lord of the Rings films. Until now, that is.

Slowly but surely, the Kiwi country is gaining recognition thanks to a handful of talented performers, writers, artists and designers hitting the international stage.

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Gotye and Kimbra pose with their Grammys for ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’. Photo: Getty

Twenty-four-year-old singer-songwriter Kimbra is one of them.

Born in Hamilton, New Zealand, the young performer’s trajectory to stardom was drastically accelerated by a little song that made a big impact: Gotye’s global smash-hit Somebody That I Used to Know.

“It was a song that broke the mould in pop music,” the raven-haired singer says from her adopted hometown of Los Angeles where (somewhat ironically) she lives on a sheep farm.

“I’ve always known that New Zealand and Australia are home to incredible art but it just takes something to get it out there. I feel proud that that song was a doorway for people to sit up and say ‘ok what’s going on down there?’”

Kimbra may have been the first Kiwi to crack the international market, but she’s certainly not the last – Auckland-raised teenage phenomenon Lorde was close behind.

“I met her [Lorde] when she came over to play a show down the road from me,” Kimbra recalls. “It was nice to connect with someone who had been on a similar whirlwind … we all have such funny accents.”

Lorde. Photo: Getty

When it comes to the success of her countrymen, Kimbra is not surprised.

“I think it might be the landscape and incredible nature,” the singer explains. “I always felt inspired to create.”

One thing’s certain – it’s about time New Zealand was known for more than hobbit houses and bungee jumping.

Here’s the vanguard of Kiwi talent leading the way:

Lorde

If you haven’t heard of this 17-year-old songstress right now, you’ve most likely been living under a rock. Her song Royals, about a disenfranchised upbringing in surburbia, rocketed to the top of the charts and made the teenager a superstar in a matter of days.

Her debut album, Pure Heroine, was hailed as the album of 2013, winning her two Grammys.

The singer attributes her low-key upbringing to her grace under pressure.

“Going to crazy places like LA makes me appreciate the lifestyle I have in New Zealand even more,” she told Stuff Magazine.

“When I go home, I’m back being teenage Ella – catching up on school work and gossiping with my friends.

Jemaine Clement. Photo: Getty

Jemaine Clement

The bespectacled half of the comedy duo behind surprise success series Flight of the Concords is back.

Along with fellow New Zealander Taika Waititi, Clement has directed What We Do in the Shadows – a mockumentary following the life of vampires living in New Zealand.

It’s already garnering critical acclaim, winning the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival this month.

Clement is set to follow it up with an HBO series, which he’s currently writing with Waititi. No word yet on whether his Concords partner Bret McKenzie will be involved, but we’re crossing our fingers.

Zambesi

When Kim Kardashiand and Kanye West visited Melbourne, their first stop was the Zambesi boutique. The star-studded couple’s visit was a welcome profile boost for the brand, which has been around since 1979.

Founders Elisabeth and Neville Findlay proudly produce all of their designs in New Zealand and the clothes are reminiscent of the country itself – earthy, practical, unique and striking.

A Zambesi look on the runway. Photo: Getty

Karen Walker

The queen of laidback cool, designer Karen Walker is by no means a new kid on the block, yet she remains at the forefront of the Kiwi style movement.

Her statement sunglasses are an ‘It’ Girl staple and her collections show at New York Fashion Week every year – even Beyonce is a fan.

Jane Campion

The New Zealand screenwriter has been raking in awards since her 2013 miniseries Top of the Lake hit Australian, US and New Zealand screens.

Filmed in Queenstown and starring Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss, the bleak murder mystery won one Golden Globe, one Emmy and one Critics’ Choice Award and marked a major comeback for Campion.

The writer/director still has a holiday hut near Queenstown where the series was filmed and says the location is an integral part of who she is.

“I love it because it’s a genuine wilderness … I feel I can sit down on a lump of moss and just smile,” Campion told The Telegraph.

“You know how the poets of the 19th century had the Arcadian ideal? That they thought it was hard living in cities and that you had to return to nature to understand who you really want to be? Well I agree with that.”

Kimbra will be performing at Sydney’s Metro Theatre on November 20 and Melbourne’s Hi-Fi on November 22. Purchase tickets here.