New Zealand national anthem: what are the lyrics to ‘God Defend New Zealand’?

18 July 2023, 16:03 | Updated: 18 September 2023, 16:28

By Classic FM

@ClassicFM

New Zealand’s soaring national anthem, ‘God Defend New Zealand’, was recognised officially in 1977. We explore its history, and both the English and Māori lyrics.

For a country of just over five million, New Zealand dominates sporting competitions around the world.

And at many of them, you’ll see players deliver that glorious hand on heart moment, as they perform the national anthem ‘God Defend New Zealand’ for a captive crowd.

We delve into the story of this memorable anthem, which is one of two official anthems of equal legal status in the country alongside the less-used ‘God Save the King’.

Read more: What are the lyrics to ‘God Save the King’, Britain’s national anthem?

Who composed ‘God Defend New Zealand’?

‘God Defend New Zealand’ originates as a poem by Thomas Bracken of Dunedin, whose text was later set to music by John Joseph Woods.

Born and raised in Lawrence, New Zealand, Woods worked as a county clerk but was also a keen musician, playing 12 instruments in total and primarily the violin.

One day, he read about a competition to compose a national anthem melody, advertised in popular tabloid paper The Saturday Advertiser. Woods was driven to write the patriotic song in just one evening and won the competition in 1876, taking home a prize of 10 guineas.

Writing to publisher Sir Alfred Hamish Reed in 1927, Woods explained: “I immediately felt like one inspired… I set to work instanter and never left my seat 'till the music was completely finished late on in the night.”

It was this sudden spark of inspiration that gave ‘God Defend New Zealand’ its enduring character and in 1977, it was named one of the country’s two national anthems.

Read more: The greatest national anthems in the world

All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe Cup Game 1 2018 Welcome & National Anthems

Is there a Māori version too?

A second version of the anthem with Māori lyrics, titled ‘Aotearoa’, was penned in 1878 by Thomas Henry Smith, a judge from Auckland. At most major sporting events, you will hear one verse sung in Māori, followed by one in English. Here’s that first verse.

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

What are the English lyrics to ‘God Defend New Zealand’?

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

God Defend New Zealand (National Anthem): Hayley Westenra - Rugby World Cup Final 2011

What are the full Māori lyrics to ‘God Defend New Zealand’?

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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