New Zealand's National Anthem

In 1976 God Defend New Zealand became a national anthem of equal status with God Save the Queen, after a petition which started in Dunedin.

NZ’s national anthem God Defend New Zealand was first performed in Dunedin’s Queen’s Theatre on Christmas Day in 1876.

Thomas Bracken wrote the words for God Defend New Zealand for a national competition based on five verses of a poem. It was made New Zealand’s national song in 1940. In 1976 God Defend New Zealand became a national anthem of equal status with God Save the Queen, after a petition which started in Dunedin. Watch the Rugby World Cup 2011 and you will hear the first verse of God Defend New Zealand in both English and Maori.

Here are the lyrics so you can sing along:

English 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.

Listen to the New Zealand national anthem here. (http://www.mch.govt.nz/anthem)

Maori Version:
E Ihowa Atua,
O nga iwi matou ra
Ata whakarangona,
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai,
Kia tau to atawhai,
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa.

Not sure how to pronounce the Maori version? Check out our Maori Pronunciation Guide!