God Defend New Zealand

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, only God Defend New Zealand is used, and most New Zealanders would be unaware that the country has two national anthems.

Lyrics

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

Related Topics:
English - Māori

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Commonly, only the first verse is sung, either in English or in Māori, followed by the same verse in the other language.

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

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English Lyrics

God of Nations at Thy feet,

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In the bonds of love we meet,

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Hear our voices, we entreat,

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God defend our free land.

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Guard Pacific's triple star,

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From the shafts of strife and war,

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Make her praises heard afar,

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God defend New Zealand.

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Men of ev'ry creed and race,

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Gather here before Thy face,

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Asking Thee to bless this place,

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God defend our free land.

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From dissension, envy, hate,

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And corruption guard our State,

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Make our country good and great,

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God defend New Zealand.

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Peace, not war, shall be our boast,

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But, should foes assail our coast,

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Make us then a mighty host,

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God defend our free land.

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Lord of battles, in Thy might,

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Put our enemies to flight,

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Let our cause be just and right,

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God defend New Zealand.

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Let our love for Thee increase,

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May Thy blessings never cease,

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Give us plenty, give us peace,

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God defend our free land.

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From dishonour and from shame,

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Guard our country's spotless name,

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Crown her with immortal fame,

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God defend New Zealand.

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May our mountains ever be

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Freedom's ramparts on the sea,

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Make us faithful unto thee,

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God defend our free land.

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Guide her in the nations' van,

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Preaching love and truth to man,

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Working out Thy Glorious plan,

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God defend New Zealand.

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Copyright on the English lyrics for God Defend New Zealand expired in 1948, fifty years after the death of the author.

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There is some discussion, with no official explanation, of the meaning of "Pacific's triple star". Unofficial explanations range from New Zealand's three biggest islands (North, South and Stewart Island/Rakiura), to the three stars on the Speight's beer logo. A possibility is that Bracken was referring to Alpha Centauri, the brightest triple star system in the southern constellation of Centaurus, which contains the fourth brightest star in the sky.

Related Topics:
North - South - Stewart Island/Rakiura - Speight's - Alpha Centauri

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Māori Lyrics

E Ihowā Atua,

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O ngā iwi mātou rā

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Āta whakarongona;

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Me aroha noa

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Kia hua ko te pai;

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Kia tau tō atawhai;

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Manaakitia mai

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Aotearoa

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Ōna mano tāngata

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Kiri whero, kiri mā,

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Iwi Māori Pākehā,

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Rūpeke katoa,

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Nei ka tono ko ngā hē

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Māu e whakaahu kē,

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Kia ora mārire

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Aotearoa

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Tōna mana kia tū!

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Tōna kaha kia ū;

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Tōna rongo hei pakū

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Ki te ao katoa

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Aua rawa ngā whawhai

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Ngā tutū a tata mai;

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Kia tupu nui ai

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Aotearoa

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Waiho tona takiwā

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Ko te ao mārama;

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Kia whiti tōna rā

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Taiāwhio noa.

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Ko te hae me te ngangau

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Meinga kia kore kau;

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Waiho i te rongo mau

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Aotearoa

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Tōna pai me toitū

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Tika rawa, pono pū;

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Tōna noho, tana tū;

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Iwi nō Ihowā.

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Kaua mōna whakamā;

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Kia hau te ingoa;

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Kia tū hei tauira;

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Aotearoa

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At least two Māori versions have been made. The first by Thomas H. Smith of Auckland, a judge in the Native Land Court, on request of governor George Edward Grey in 1878, and the second by former Māori Language Commissioner, Professor Timoti S. Käretu, commissioned in 1979.

Related Topics:
George Edward Grey - Timoti S. Käretu

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This latter translation (above) is under New Zealand Crown copyright until 2079. The copyright information is at http://www.cultureandheritage.govt.nz/copy-right.html.

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