God Defend New Zealand
Text: Thomas Bracken (1843-1898)

This was printed as a supplement for New Zealand Saints
to include with the 1985 Hymnal.
The supplement had the first verse in English and Maori,
and only contained verses 1, 2, and 5 in English.

.....

1.

God of Nations at Thy feet

 

E Ihowā Atua

 

 

In the bonds of love we meet

 

O ngā iwi mātou rā

 

 

Hear our voices, we entreat

 

Āta whakarongona

 

 

God defend our free land

 

Me aroha noa

 

 

Guard Pacific's triple star

 

Kia hua ko te pai

 

 

From the shafts of strife and war

 

Kia tau tō atawhai

 

 

Make her praises heard afar

 

Manaakitia mai

 

 

God defend New Zealand

 

Aotearoa

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Men of ev'ry creed and race

 

Ōna mano tāngata

 

 

Gather here before Thy face

 

Kiri whero, kiri mā

 

 

Asking Thee to bless this place

 

Iwi Māori Pākehā

 

 

God defend our free land

 

Rūpeke katoa

 

 

From dissension, envy, hate

 

Nei ka tono ko ngā hē

 

 

And corruption guard our State

 

Māu e whakaahu kē

 

 

Make our country good and great

 

Kia ora mārire

 

 

God defend New Zealand

 

Aotearoa

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast

 

Tōna mana kia tū

 

 

But should our foes assail our coast

 

Tōna kaha kia ū

 

 

Make us then a mighty host

 

Tōna rongo hei pakū

 

 

God defend our free land

 

Ki te ao katoa

 

 

Lord of battles, in Thy might

 

Aua rawa ngā whawhai

 

 

Put our enemies to flight

 

Ngā tutū a tata mai

 

 

Let our cause be just and right

 

Kia tupu nui ai

 

 

God defend New Zealand

 

Aotearoa

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Let our love for Thee increase

 

Waiho tona takiwā

 

 

May Thy blessings never cease

 

Ko te ao mārama

 

 

Give us plenty, give us peace

 

Kia whiti tōna rā

 

 

God defend our free land

 

Taiāwhio noa

 

 

From dishonour and from shame

 

Ko te hae me te ngangau

 

 

Guard our country's spotless name

 

Meinga kia kore kau

 

 

Crown her with immortal fame

 

Waiho i te rongo mau

 

 

God defend New Zealand

 

Aotearoa

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

May our mountains ever be

 

Tōna pai me toitū

 

 

Freedom's ramparts on the sea

 

Tika rawa, pono pū

 

 

Make us faithful unto Thee

 

Tōna noho, tana tū

 

 

God defend our free land

 

Iwi nō Ihowā

 

 

Guide her in the nations' van

 

Kaua mōna whakamā

 

 

Preaching love and truth to man

 

Kia hau te ingoa

 

 

Working out Thy Glorious plan

 

Kia tū hei tauira

 

 

God defend New Zealand

 

Aotearoa

This page is part of the "Lost Hymns Project" by Bruce T. Forbes