New Zealand National Anthem

Listen to National Anthem

Anthem History

New Zealand holds a rare position in the world in that it has two national anthems of equal standing - 'God Defend New Zealand' and 'God Save The Queen'. Both of these anthems have origins which have been inspired by the fire of patriotism yet were written under markedly different situations.

Anthem Lyrics

E Ihoa Atua

O nga Iwi Matoura,

Ata whaka rongona;

Me aroha noa.

Kia hua ko te pai;

Kia tau to atawhai;

Manaakitia mai

Aotearoa

Ona mano tangata

Kiri whero, kiri ma,

Iwi Maori Pakeha

Repeke katoa,

Nei ka tono ko nga he

Mau e whakaahu ke,

Kia ora marire

Aotearoa

Waiho tona takiwa

Ko te ao marama;

Kia whiti tona ra

Taiawhio noa.

Ko te hae me te ngangau

Meinga kia kore kau;

Waiho i te rongo mau

Aotearoa

Tona pai me toitu;

Tika rawa, pono pu;

Tona noho, tana tu;

Iwi no Ihoa.

Kaua mona whakama;

Kia hau te ingoa;

Kia tu hei tauira;

Aotearoa

Anthem Lyrics English

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

Men of ev'ry 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.

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.

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.

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 Save the Queen

God save our gracious Queen,

Long live our noble Queen,

God save The Queen.

Send her victorious,

Happy and glorious,

Long to reign over us:

God save The Queen.

O Lord our God, arise,

Scatter our enemies,

And make them fall;

Confound their politics,

Frustrate their knavish tricks;

On thee our hopes we fix:

God save us all.

Thy choicest gifts in store

On her be pleased to pour,

Long may she reign.

May she defend our laws,

And ever give us cause

To sing with heart and voice,

God save The Queen.

Note: The second verse of 'God Save The Queen' is commonly omitted

New Zealand Flag

Flag Date of Adoption

23 October 1869

Flag Symbolism

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation

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