National Anthem Comparison
Fiji vs New Zealand
3
Shared themes
✓
Same mood
94
94 years apart
✓
Same continent
Fiji
God Bless Fiji
New Zealand
God Defend New Zealand
Comparison Analysis
Fiji and New Zealand, both Oceania nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Fiji's "God Bless Fiji" was written in 1970, while New Zealand's "God Defend New Zealand" dates to 1876.
Both anthems share themes of god / faith, nature and freedom. Fiji additionally explores unity and hope, while New Zealand also touches on peace and diversity.
Both anthems carry a prayerful tone, creating a similar emotional register despite their geographic distance.
New Zealand's anthem predates Fiji's by 94 years, having been written in 1876 compared to 1970.
New Zealand changed its national anthem in 1977, reflecting a shift in the nation's identity or political landscape.
Shared themes
Fiji
✝ God / Faith 🌿 Nature 🤝 Unity 🌅 Hope 🕊 Freedom
New Zealand
✝ God / Faith 🌿 Nature ☮ Peace 🕊 Freedom 🌈 Diversity
Shared themes:
✝ God / Faith 🌿 Nature 🕊 Freedom
Metadata
| Fiji | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1970 | 1876 |
| Adopted | 1970 | 1977 |
| Lyricist | Michael Francis Alexander Prescott | Thomas Bracken (English, 1876); Māori translation by Thomas Henry Smith (1878) |
| Composer | Charles Austin Miles (1911 hymn melody), arranged by Michael Francis Alexander Prescott | John Joseph Woods |
| Language | en | mi,en |
| Region | Melanesia | Polynesia |
Lyrics Side by Side
Fiji
God Bless Fiji
Original
Blessing grant oh God of nations on the isles of Fiji
As we stand united under noble banner blue
And we honour and defend the cause of freedom ever
Onward march together, God bless Fiji.
[Chorus]
For Fiji, ever Fiji, let our voices ring with pride
For Fiji, ever Fiji, her name hail far and wide,
A land of freedom, hope and glory to endure whatever befall
May God bless Fiji forever more!
Blessing grant, oh God of nations, on the isles of Fiji
Shores of golden sand and sunshine, happiness and song
Stand united, we of Fiji, fame and glory ever
Onward march together, God bless Fiji.
[Chorus]
For Fiji, ever Fiji, let our voices ring with pride
For Fiji, ever Fiji, her name hail far and wide,
A land of freedom, hope and glory to endure whatever befall
May God bless Fiji forever more!
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
[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.
Translation
[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.
Interesting facts
Fiji
- 1. The English text has two verses, each followed by the chorus. The Fijian version, 'Meda Dau Doka', is not a translation of it: the two texts have very little in common, and the English version is the one usually sung
- 2. In 2008 the draft People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress, meant to ease the country's ethnic and linguistic divides, proposed that the anthem be sung in Fiji's three main languages; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs now publishes it in English, Fijian and Fiji Hindi
- 3. The country went through four coups between 1987 and 2006, and 'God Bless Fiji' remained the national anthem through all of them
New Zealand
- 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.
Listen
Fiji
New Zealand
