God Defend New Zealand / Aotearoa
Below are the first verses from the English and Māori versions of New Zealand's National Anthem
Full versions are available on the Ministry of Culture and Heritage website.
English Version
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.
Māori Version
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
Frankie Stevens singing the National Anthem of New Zealand
Information
Music by John Joseph Woods
Words by Thomas Bracken
Historical information is available on The Ministry of Culture and Heritage website.
