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Kōrero: National anthems

Thomas Bracken: writer

Thomas Bracken's poem 'God defend New Zealand' inspired a competition to compose suitable music, which was won by John Woods. This 1879 edition of the sheet music features portraits of both men.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Hocken Collections, University of Otago

Reference: S12-542

Permission of the Hocken Collections Uare Taoka o Hakena, University of Otago, must be obtained before any re-use of this image. Further information may be obtained from the Library through its website.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Nancy Swarbrick, National anthems – History of ‘God defend New Zealand’, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/zoomify/33761/thomas-bracken-writer (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Nancy Swarbrick, i tāngia i te 8 June 2012.