2. 5. The custom in recent years has been for ‘God defend New Zealand’ (titled 'Aotearoa' in Māori) to be sung in both Māori and English, to acknowledge our bicultural heritage. Our page on the Musical score for God Defend New Zealand notes that the recommended key for massed singing is G major, and that the National Anthem should be performed at a tempo of 108 beats per minute (bpm).. E Ihoa Atua, O nga Iwi! Matoura, Ata whakarongona; Me aroha roa. The poem God Defend New Zealand was written by Thomas Bracken in the 1870s. Guard Pacific's triple star From the shafts of strife and war, Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand. This was won by songwriter John Joseph Woods, who composed the tune in one sitting. God save the Queen. "God Defend New Zealand" is a national anthem of New Zealand - Created by the Irish-born composer Thomas Bracken, the song was first performed in 1876, and was sung in New Zealand as a patriotic song. But this is a relatively new development. 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. Matoura, Ata whakarongona; Me aroha roa. First Published in the Saturday Advertiser 1 st July 1876. The words ‘God defend New Zealand – a national hymn’ was first published as a poem in the Saturday Advertiser, a Dunedin newspaper, in 1876.It was written by Thomas Bracken, a young Irish poet and journalist who had arrived in New Zealand in 1869. "God Defend New Zealand", called "Aotearoa" ('New Zealand') in Māori, is the title of the most popular national anthem of New Zealand. Guard Pacific’s triple star From the shafts of strife and war, Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand. In 1976 a competition was then held to set the text to music, with a first prize of 10 guineas. Many people find that a lower key (C or D) is easier to sing along with. God of nations at thy feet In the bonds of love we meet. God Defend New Zealand. Performers also have the option of modulating up from the verse in te Reo Māori to the verse in English. Thomas Bracken’s poem, ‘God defend New Zealand’, was put to music in 1876 by J.J. Woods from Lawrence, Central Otago. It has equal status with "God Save the Queen" but "God Defend New Zealand" is more commonly used. E Ihoa Atua, O nga Iwi! at Thy feet In the bonds of love we meet, Hear our voices we entreat, God defend our Free Land. God of Nations! God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia. God of nations at thy feet In the bonds of love we meet. Let our love for Thee increase, May Thy blessings never cease, Give us plenty, give us peace, God defend our free land. 1. God defend New Zealand. Matoura Ata whakarongona Me aroha roa Kia hua ko te pai Kia tau to atawhai Manaakitia mai Aotearoa From dishonour and from shame, Guard our country's spotless name, Crown her with immortal fame, God defend New Zealand. 4. 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