1.Thomas Bracken first published the words in July 1876 in the Dunedin newspaper he edited, announcing a contest for the best tune to go with them; it was won by John Joseph Woods, a young schoolteacher in Lawrence, Central Otago.
2.At the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Hinewehi Mohi sang the anthem only in Maori before the All Blacks' match against England at Twickenham; the debate that followed led to the now customary practice of singing it in both Maori and English.
3.The Maori version was written in 1878 by Thomas Henry Smith, a judge of the Native Land Court. It is a translation, but not a word-for-word one, and its meaning differs slightly from the English.
New Zealand National Anthem Lyrics
Typically the first verse in each language is sung at official events
Show full poemShow official version
[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
[English]
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.
[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
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 e 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, tāna tū;
Iwi nō Ihowā.
Kaua mōna whakamā;
Kia hau te ingoa;
Kia tū hei tauira;
Aotearoa
[English]
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 every 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 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.
[Te Reo Māori]
O Lord God,
Of the nations and of us,
Listen closely;
Cherish us;
Let goodness flourish;
May your care rest upon us;
Protect
Aotearoa
[English]
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.
[Te Reo Māori]
O Lord God,
Of the nations and of us,
Listen closely;
Cherish us;
Let goodness flourish;
May your care rest upon us;
Protect
Aotearoa
Her thousands of people,
Brown of skin, white of skin,
Māori and Pākehā,
All gathered together,
Here we ask that our wrongs
Be turned aside by you,
So may she thrive in peace,
Aotearoa
Let her prestige stand!
Let her strength hold firm;
Let her fame resound
Through all the world.
Let no wars
Nor strife ever come near;
So may she grow great,
Aotearoa
Let her realm be
A world of light;
Let her sun shine
All around.
Envy and turmoil,
Make them vanish utterly;
Keep in lasting peace
Aotearoa
Let her goodness endure;
Truly just, wholly true;
In how she dwells, in how she stands,
A people of the Lord.
Let no shame be hers;
Let her name be renowned;
Let her stand as an example;
Aotearoa
[English]
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 every 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 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.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Analysis
Editorial
Written 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.
