God Defend New Zealand

(From: Curious Kiwi words' by Max Cryer)
In 1840 New Zealand's national anthem was established as 'God Save the Queen' and will remain so as long as the nation is a kingdom. It must be played if the sovereign or a representative thereof is physically present.
But New Zealand has two national anthems. Thomas Bracken, an Irishman living in Dunedin, wrote the words of God Defend New Zealand which was published as a poem in 1876. An enthusiastic nationalist, Bracken set up a competition to find a tune for his words, the winner being John Joseph Woods of Lawrence. Ther resulting song became very popular and although Bracken boldly printed it with the words 'National Anthem' on the cover, it really wasn't. Nevertheless, people throughout the country sang the song, and by 1878  Sir George Grey was suggesting that a Maori version be organised. This is heard more in the 21st century than it was in the 19th or 20th.
By 1940 the song had become unavoidable and the government bought the copyright and established 'God Defend' as a national song. (A national anthem can only be sanctioned by the sovereign)
Growing pressure caused high level discussions within Parliament and consultation with the sovereign who, in 1977, agreed to the establishing of 'God Defend New Zealand' as the second national anthem, which can be used on national occasions when the sovereign is not present. Paradoxically, as soon as the anthem became official, it began to wane in popularity. Complaints about its Victorian idealism and heavy-footed tune wore down the 100 years of enthusiasm that caused it's elevated status. Cries to get rid of the song began to be heard.
Nobody is sure what the phrase,'Guard Pacific's triple star', refers to: New Zealand's original three provinces, the three main islands. a misprint.....? Nobody knows.

GOD DEFEND NEW ZEALAND

E IHOA ATUA
O NGA IWIMATOU RA
ATA WHAKARONGO NA
ME AROHA NOA
KIA HUA KO TE PAI
KIA TAU TO ATAWHAI
MANAAKITIA MAI
AOTEAROA

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 OUR PRAISES HEARD AFAR
GOD DEFEND NEW ZEALAND.

There are four more verses of this sort of sentiment! - I don't think most kiwis even know that, since we have never heard more than the Maori followed by the first verse sung anywhere - not even at something National and Important. So it seems that those verses will forever gather dust. As for the rest of the anthem, we don't think it's going anywhere anytime soon, since it appears to be second only to the beloved Haka, which is to a full blooded kiwi what the pipes are to a full-blooded Scotsman.
Dis al!