God Defend New Zealand

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"God Defend New Zealand" is one of the national anthems of New Zealand, together with "God Save the Queen". Although they both have equal status, "God Defend New Zealand" is the anthem that is in common use.

[edit] History

The words for "God Defend New Zealand" were written as a poem in the 1870s by Thomas Bracken, a freemason. A competition to compose music for the poem was held in 1876, with a prize of ten guineas. The winner of the competition was John Joseph Woods, who composed the melody in a single sitting the evening after finding out about the competition.

The song became increasingly popular during the 19th century and early 20th century, and in 1940 the New Zealand government bought the copyright and made it New Zealand's national hymn in time for that year's centennial celebrations. In 1976 a petition was presented to parliament asking for it to be made the national anthem, and, with the permission of Queen Elizabeth II, it became the country's second national anthem on November 21 1977, on equal standing with "God Save The Queen", which had been the traditional anthem since 1840.

An alternative official arrangement for massed singing by Maxwell Fernie was announced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Allan Highet on June 1 1978.

While being used as New Zealand's national anthem at the British Empire Games from 1950 onward, it was first used at the Olympic Games in 1972 in Munich.

[edit] Protocol

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage has responsibility for the national anthems. The Ministry's guidance for choosing which anthem should be presented on any occasion advises that "'God Save The Queen' would be specially appropriate at any occasion where Her Majesty The Queen, or a member of the Royal Family, or the Governor-General, when within New Zealand, is officially present or when loyalty to the crown is to be stressed, while 'God Defend New Zealand' would be specially appropriate whenever the national identity of New Zealand is to be stressed even in association with a toast to Her Majesty as Queen of New Zealand." [1]

[edit] Lyrics

"God Defend New Zealand" has five verses, each in English and translated into Māori.

Commonly, only the first verse of each version is sung, usually in Māori first, then in English. However, it has been known to be sung English first.

The second and last English verses may also be sung, but the third and fourth are rarely used.

[edit] Current English Version