New Zealand
God Defend New Zealand
1876
1977
Thomas Bracken
John Joseph Woods
✝ God / Faith 🌿 Nature ☮ Peace 🕊 Freedom 🌈 Diversity |
Key Facts
- 1. The anthem exists in five different language versions: English, Maori, Samoan, Tongan, and New Zealand Sign Language, reflecting the country's Pacific identity.
- 2. At the 2011 Rugby World Cup final in Auckland, the crowd of over 60,000 spontaneously sang the anthem so powerfully that the sound system was drowned out.
- 3. The Maori version is not a direct translation of the English text; it is an independent composition by Thomas Henry Smith that carries its own distinct meaning and imagery.
Lyrics
[Te Reo Māori]
E Ihowā Atua,
O ngā iwi mātou rā
Āta whakarangona;
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau tō atawhai;
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Analysis
EditorialWritten by Thomas Bracken in 1876, with music by John Joseph Woods. Became a national anthem alongside God Save the Queen in 1977. The Maori version is typically sung first at official events, reflecting New Zealand's bicultural identity. It is one of two national anthems, alongside God Save the King.