Technically New Zealand has two national anthems - God Defend New Zealand and God Save The King, however God Defend New Zealand is most commonly used.
The poem God Defend New Zealand was written by Thomas Bracken in the 1870s. In 1976 a competition was then held to set the text to music, with a first prize of 10 guineas.
This was won by songwriter John Joseph Woods, who composed the tune in one sitting. Just over a century later, in 1977 God Defend New Zealand was recognised as the country's second national anthem. When it is performed in public today the first verse is sung twice, once in Māori and once in English.
What are the lyrics to 'God Defend New Zealand'?
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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
What are the Māori lyrics to God Defend New Zealand?
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Find more lyrics to the different national anthems here