National Anthem of NZ

Today we sang the NZ national anthem in both Maori and English. We plan to sing it heaps over the term. It is called 'God of Nations'. Here is some information about our national anthem.

Thomas Bracken wrote his poem in the early 1870s, and offered a prize of 10 guineas for the best musical setting. This was won by Otago schoolteacher John Joseph Woods. In 1940, on the recommendation of the NZ Centennial Council, the Government declared God Defend New Zealand to be the National Hymn, and bought the copyright. In 1977, with the Queen’s consent, God Defend New Zealand was given equal status with God Save the Queen as one of New Zealand’s national anthems.