The Extraordinary Story of New Zealand’s National Anthems

Max Cryer

‘God Defend New Zealand’ is our national anthem but seems to have a remarkable capacity to create ‘strife and war’ rather than ‘bonds of love’. So why is this controversial song our national anthem? The story is a curious one. After enterprising Irish settler Thomas Bracken penned the words in 1876, he held a competition for people to compose the music. The winner was John Joseph Woods, an unknown schoolteacher from Lawrence, central Otago. The path to the song’s acceptance as our national anthem was long and complicated; there were many rivals – over fifty other compositions purporting to be ‘New Zealand’s national song’ were written and published during the next fifty years. But with a little help, ‘God Defend New Zealand’ gained the ascendancy, although it was not until 1972 that it was first heard – mysteriously and unofficially – as an anthem at an Olympic Games medal ceremony (when the rowing eight won gold). It took a further five years before it became one of our two official national anthems.

Max Cryer tells the full story of the rise and fall of ‘God Defend New Zealand’, unearthing many fascinating and little-known facts, and correcting some popular misconceptions. Heavily illustrated, this delightful and timely book will enlighten, astonish and entertain.

---

Reviews

‘A most interesting and readable book, providing information on a piece of our history that many of us had not really given thought to. A recommended publication to those with an interest in New Zealand’s history and music.’ The Marlborough Express

‘Go on, have a read, it’s a lot of fun and a bit of history with tongue-in-cheek. But then GDNZ may prove a hard act to follow. The quiet majority feels, ‘when a thing aint’ broke, don’t try to fix it.’ Hawkes Bay Today

‘Max Cryer has spent a couple of years ferreting out the intriguing history of God Defend New Zealand, now one of New Zealand’s national anthems. From the whereabouts of the piano on which the tune was composed, the curious history of the many other contenders, to the campaign to get it official recognised as a national anthem.’ Otago Daily Times

‘Cryer’s research is excellent, and makes for a book which is both interesting and enjoyable to read.’ Northern Advocate

---

SPECIFICATIONS
Size: 242 x 184 mm
Format: Paperback with flaps
Extent: 144 pages
Numerous illustrations and photos
Weight: 450 gms
Paperback with flaps
First published: October 2004
ISBN: 978-0-908988-35-8