You’ve probably heard it belted out at a rugby match, usually with enough passion to rattle the stadium rafters. But honestly, how many people actually know all five verses? Or even what that weird line about a "triple star" means? Most of us mumble through the Māori part, nail the "God defend New Zealand" refrain, and then just sorta hum when it gets to the bit about "shafts of strife."
It’s a unique song. Actually, it's one of two official anthems—New Zealand is one of the very few countries on Earth that has two of them. We’ve got "God Save the King" for the royal family and "God Defend New Zealand" for basically everything else. It wasn’t always this way, though. For a long time, it was just a poem written by an Irish immigrant who probably had no idea his words would end up as the heartbeat of a nation.
The Story Behind God Defend New Zealand National Anthem Lyrics
Back in the 1870s, Thomas Bracken was a busy guy. He was a poet, a journalist, and eventually a politician. In 1876, he published a poem called "National Hymn" in his newspaper, the Saturday Advertiser. He didn't just want people to read it; he wanted them to sing it. So, he ran a competition. The prize? Ten guineas.
A schoolteacher named John Joseph Woods saw the ad. Legend has it he was so inspired that he sat down and composed the entire tune in a single night. He won the ten guineas, obviously. From there, the song just kinda took off. It wasn't "official" for a century, though. People just liked it. It felt more like "us" than the British anthem.
It wasn't until 1977 that it was formally elevated to national anthem status, thanks to a massive petition and a bit of a nudge from the government.
The Mystery of the Triple Star
If you look at the god defend new zealand national anthem lyrics, one line always trips people up: "Guard Pacific’s triple star."
👉 See also: Why People That Died on Their Birthday Are More Common Than You Think
What is it?
- Some say it's the three main islands (North, South, and Stewart).
- Others think it’s a reference to the stars on the flag, though the flag has four.
- Historians often point to the telegraphic code or early maps.
Basically, there’s no single "official" answer that everyone agrees on, but most Kiwis just assume it’s the islands. It sounds poetic, right? "Freedom’s ramparts on the sea" is another banger of a line. It makes the country sound like a fortress of peace, which is a pretty cool image when you're standing on a sideline in the rain.
Why the Māori Version Isn't a Translation
Here is the thing a lot of people miss: the Māori lyrics, titled Aotearoa, aren't just a word-for-word swap of the English. Not even close.
In 1878, Sir George Grey (the Premier at the time) asked Thomas Henry Smith to translate the poem. Smith didn't just translate; he reimagined it. While the English version is very Victorian and "hymn-like," the Māori version focuses more on the people (iwi) and the idea of "manaakitia"—which is about protection and hospitality.
- English Verse 1: Focuses on "God of Nations" and "bonds of love."
- Māori Verse 1: Asks "E Ihowā Atua" (O Lord God) to listen to the people and cherish the land.
The 1999 Rugby World Cup changed everything for how we sing it today. Hinewehi Mohi stood up and sang the anthem only in Māori. People flipped out. It was a huge scandal at the time. But that moment forced a conversation that needed to happen. Now, it’s standard practice to sing the first verse in Māori and then the first verse in English. It feels more balanced. More right.
✨ Don't miss: Marie Kondo The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: What Most People Get Wrong
The Verses You Never Sing
Most of us stop after the first verse. But there are actually five. And honestly, the third one is pretty intense. It talks about "foes" assailing our coast and becoming a "mighty host." It’s a bit more "battle-ready" than the peaceful vibe of the opening.
Then you've got the fourth verse which mentions "dishonour and shame." It’s a heavy prayer for the country to stay "spotless." You won't hear these at the Olympics, but they're there in the official record.
"From dissension, envy, hate, / And corruption guard our state."
That’s from verse two. Kinda feels relevant no matter what year it is, doesn't it?
Protocol: How to Actually Behave
There aren't "laws" that will get you arrested if you sing it wrong, but there is definitely a vibe you're supposed to follow. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage has a few pointers.
🔗 Read more: Why Transparent Plus Size Models Are Changing How We Actually Shop
First, you don't have to sing all five verses. Most people don't have that kind of lung capacity or memory. Singing the first verse in both languages is the "done thing." You can do Māori first or English first—there’s no strict rule, though Māori-then-English is the most common at big events.
Also, don't change the words. You can change the "arrangement" (like making it a bit more jazzy or acoustic), but the lyrics are supposed to stay exactly as Bracken wrote them.
Moving Forward with the Music
If you're looking to actually learn the god defend new zealand national anthem lyrics properly, don't just read them. Listen to them. There are some incredible recordings by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra that really bring out the "hymn" quality of the tune.
If you're organizing an event:
- Check the order: Decide if you’re doing one language or both.
- Get the lyrics right: "Entreat" is not "in treat."
- Practice the pronunciation: If you're doing the Māori verse, take five minutes to make sure your "Aotearoa" sounds like "Ah-oh-teh-ah-roh-ah" and not something else.
The anthem is a living thing. It's evolved from a colonial-era poem to a bilingual symbol of identity. It’s okay if we don’t all know verse five by heart, but knowing where the song came from—and why we sing it the way we do—makes those two minutes on the field feel a lot more meaningful.
Next Steps for You
- Listen to the full 5-verse version on YouTube to hear the "battle" lyrics in verse three.
- Download the official lyric sheet from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage if you're planning to lead a group.
- Look up the phonetic guide for the Māori lyrics to ensure your pronunciation respects the mana of the song.