National Anthem Comparison
Australia vs New Zealand
2
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
2
2 years apart
✓
Same continent
Australia
Advance Australia Fair
New Zealand
God Defend New Zealand
Comparison Analysis
Australia and New Zealand, both Oceania nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Australia's "Advance Australia Fair" was written in 1878, while New Zealand's "God Defend New Zealand" dates to 1876.
Both anthems share themes of Nature and Freedom. Australia additionally explores Unity and Prosperity, while New Zealand also touches on God / Faith, Peace and Diversity.
The emotional tones differ: Australia's anthem is Joyful, while New Zealand's is Prayerful.
Australia changed its national anthem in 2021, reflecting a shift in the nation's identity or political landscape.
Shared themes
Australia
🌿 Nature 🤝 Unity 🌾 Prosperity 🕊 Freedom
New Zealand
✝ God / Faith 🌿 Nature ☮ Peace 🕊 Freedom 🌈 Diversity
Shared themes:
🌿 Nature 🕊 Freedom
Metadata
| Australia | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1878 | 1876 |
| Adopted | 1984 | 1977 |
| Lyricist | Peter Dodds McCormick | Thomas Bracken |
| Composer | Peter Dodds McCormick | John Joseph Woods |
| Language | en | mi,en |
| Region | Australasia | Polynesia |
Lyrics Side by Side
Australia
Advance Australia Fair
Original
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are one and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
New Zealand
God Defend New Zealand
Original
[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
Interesting facts
Australia
- 1. The original 1878 version had four verses, but only the first two are officially performed today; the omitted verses contain dated colonial-era language.
- 2. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, soprano Yvonne Kenny performed the anthem at the opening ceremony, and her rendition is widely considered the most iconic live performance of it.
- 3. In a 1977 national plebiscite, 'Advance Australia Fair' received only 43% of the vote, winning by plurality over 'Waltzing Matilda' (28%), 'God Save the Queen' (19%), and 'Song of Australia' (10%).
New Zealand
- 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.
Listen
Australia
New Zealand
