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New Zealand's National Anthems: Honoring Anzac Day and Heritage
History of the Anthems
New Zealand boasts two national anthems: "God Defend New Zealand" and its Māori counterpart, "God Defend New Zealand (in Māori)." The former was officially adopted in 1940, while the latter has been recognized since 1977.God Defend New Zealand
The lyrics for "God Defend New Zealand" were written by Thomas Bracken in 1870 and set to music by John Joseph Woods in 1876. The song became popular during World War I and was officially adopted as the national anthem in 1940.God Defend New Zealand (in Māori)
The Māori translation of "God Defend New Zealand" was created by Sir Apirana Ngata in 1897. The Māori version holds equal status with the English version and is often sung at official ceremonies.Anzac Day and the National Anthems
Anzac Day, observed on April 25th, is a significant day of remembrance in New Zealand. It commemorates the landings at Gallipoli during World War I, where New Zealand and Australian troops suffered heavy casualties. The national anthems play an integral role in Anzac Day ceremonies. "God Defend New Zealand" is sung at dawn services around the country, while the Māori version is often performed at Māori memorials and events.Lyrics and Translations
Access the lyrics for both the English and Māori versions of "God Defend New Zealand" here: * English lyrics: [link to English lyrics] * Māori lyrics: [link to Māori lyrics] Translations of the Māori lyrics into English can be found at: [link to English translation] 
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