Top: Regional: Oceania: New Zealand: Society and Culture: National Anthems


[ history ]

Overview

New Zealand has two official national anthems.

The first is God Save the Queen, which is also the official national anthem of Canada and Britain. The anthem is not used as much as it once was.

The second anthem is God Defend New Zealand. The poem was written by Thomas Bracken during the 1870's, and is sung to a tune written by Joseph Woods. It was officially declared a National Hymn in 1940, following a suggestion from the New Zealand Centennial Council. In 1977 the Queen of the British Commonwealth gave permission for the hymn to be used alongside God Save the Queen as New Zealand's official national anthem. Although well used, this anthem has often been considered irrelevant to the modern multi-cultural New Zealand. Below is the anthem in full, although the first and sixth stanza (in bold) are those which are sung at most sporting events and other occasions.


[ history ]

God Defend New Zealand

God of Nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God Defend our Free Land.
Guard Pacific's triple star,
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God Defend New Zealand.


Man of ev'ry creed and race,
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God Defend our Free Land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption, guard our state,
Make our country good and great,
God Defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God Defend our Free Land.
Lord of Battles, in Thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cuase be just and right,
God Defend New Zealand

Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, Give us peace,
God Defend New Zealand.
From dishonour, and from shame,
Guard our country's spotless name,
Crown here with immortal fame,
God Defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be,
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto Thee,
God Defend our Free Land.
Guide here in the nation's van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy glorious plan,
God Defend New Zeland.

E Ihoa Atua,
O nga Iwa! Matoura
Ata whaka rangona,
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai
Kia tau to atawhai
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa.


Ona mano tangata,
Kiri Whero, Kiri ma,
Iwi Maori Pakeha,
Repeke katoa,
Nei ka tono ko nga he
Mau e whakaahu ke,
Kia ora marire
Aotearoa.

Tona mana kia tu!
Tona kaha kia u,
Tona rongo hei paku
Ki te ao katoa
Aua rawa nga whawhai
Nga tutu a tata mai,
Kia tupu nui ai
Aotearoa

Waihu tona takiwa
Ko te ao marama,
Kia whiti tona ra
Taiawhio noa.
Ko te hae me te ngangau
Meinga kia kore kau,
Waiho i te rongo mau
Aotearoa.

Tona pai me toitu
Tika rawa ponu pu,
Tona noho tana tu,
Iwa no Ihoa.
Kaua mona whakama
Kia hau te ingoa,
Kia tu hei tauira,
Aotearoa.



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