God Defend New Zealand

God Defend New Zealand

Woods' original manuscript setting Bracken's words to music
National anthem of	New Zealand New Zealand
Lyrics	Thomas Bracken, 1870s
Music	John Joseph Woods, 1876
Adopted	1940 (as national hymn) 1977 (as national anthem)
Music sample
God Defend New Zealand (Instrumental)

"God Defend New Zealand" is one of the national anthems of New Zealand. The other national anthem is "God Save the Queen", but that is not sung very often. Most people in New Zealand call "God Defend New Zealand" "the national anthem".

History

The words were written by Thomas Bracken in the 1870s. On 1 July 1876, the poem appeared in a local newspaper as part of a competition. The competition was to see who could compose the best music to fit the words. The prize was ten guineas. Twelve entries were received, and the winner was a young teacher named John Joseph Woods. It was first performed on Christmas Day, 1876, in Dunedin's Queen's Theatre.

100 years later, 7750 people signed a petition to make "God Defend New Zealand" the national anthem of New Zealand. After this was presented to Parliament, Queen Elizabeth II gave permission for it to become New Zealand's second national anthem, equal to "God Save the Queen".

Lyrics

Usually, only the first verse of the English and the Māori versions are sung, with the Māori first. The Māori version is not a translation of the English version, but was written to fit the melody.

English version	Māori version	Direct translation of Māori version
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 Men 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 our 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 cause 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 our free land From dishonour and from shame Guard our country's spotless name Crown her 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 her in the nations' van Preaching love and truth to man Working out Thy Glorious plan God defend New Zealand	E Ihoā Atua, O ngā iwi mātou rā; Āta whakarongona, Me aroha noa; Kia hua ko te pai Kia tau to ata whai; Manaakitia mai Aotearoa Ōna mano tāngata Kiri whero, kiri mā Iwi Māori Pākehā Rūpeke katoa Nei ka tono ko ngā hē Māu e whakaahu kē Kia ora mārire Aotearoa Tōna mana kia tū Tōna kaha kia ū Tōna rongo hei pakū Ki te ao katoa Aua rawa ngā whawhai Ngā tutū a tata mai Kia tupu nui ai Aotearoa Waiho tona takiwā Ko te ao mārama Kia whiti tōna rā Taiāwhio noa Ko te hae me te ngangau Meinga kia kore kau Waiho i te rongo mau Aotearoa Tōna pai me toitū Tika rawa, pono pū Tōna noho, tana tū Iwi nō Ihowā Kaua mōna whakamā Kia hau te ingoa Kia tū hei tauira Aotearoa	O Lord, God, Of all people, Listen to us, Love us, may good flourish, May your blessings flow, Look after Aotearoa Let all people Red skin, white skin Maori, Pakeha Come before you May all our wrongs, we pray, Be forgiven So that we can say long live Aotearoa May it be forever famous May it go from strength to strength May its fame spread far and wide Let not trouble nor fighting begin May it ever be great Aotearoa Let its land Be ever enlightened Throughout the land Let envy and fighting Be sent away Let peace rule Over Aotearoa Let its goodness last forever Let justice and honesty rule Among the people of God Let it never be ashamed, But rather, let its name be known As a role model to follow Aotearoa