Vuetunes's video: New Zealand National Anthem Instrumental Aotearoa God Defend New Zealand Maori and English Lyrics

New Zealand National Anthem Instrumental Aotearoa God Defend New Zealand with Maori and English Lyrics. The poetic lyrics for "God Defend New Zealand" were written in the 1870s by the Irish-born, Thomas Bracken. The tune was written a few years later in 1876 by Tasmanian-born John Joseph Woods and was the winning entry in a competition to find a tune for the poem. Over the years the song grew in popularity and became the official national anthem in 1977. When it is played in public such as before New Zealand All Blacks rugby matches the first verse is sung in Māori followed by English. The image in the video is the New Zealand Flag and is described in the following Wiki: “The flag of New Zealand is a defaced Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton, and four red stars with white borders to the right. The stars' pattern represents the asterism within the constellation of Crux, the Southern Cross. New Zealand's first flag, the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand, was adopted in 1834, six years before New Zealand became a British colony following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Chosen by an assembly of Māori chiefs at Waitangi in 1834, the flag was of a St George's Cross with another cross in the canton containing four stars on a blue field. After the formation of the colony in 1840, British ensigns began to be used. The current flag was designed and adopted for use on Colonial ships in 1869, was quickly adopted as New Zealand's national flag, and given statutory recognition in 1902.” Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_New_Zealand The image shows a ruffled New Zealand Flag. Image was supplied by CanStockPhoto.com http://www.canstockphoto.co.uk The video was edited by Vuetunes. CREDITS AND MUSICAL ATTRIBUTION: Anthem Country: New Zealand Title: "Aotearoa" English: "God Defend New Zealand" Lyrics: Thomas Bracken (1870s) Music: John Joseph Woods (1876) Performers: US Navy Band Image: New Zealand Flag Image Supplied by: CanStockPhoto.com Video Editor: Vuetunes   MĀORI VERSE: "Aotearoa" E Ihowā Atua, O ngā iwi mātou rā Āta whakarangona; Me aroha noa Kia hua ko te pai; Kia tau tō atawhai; Manaakitia mai Aotearoa ENGLISH LYRICS: "God Defend New Zealand" God of Nations at Thy feet, In the bonds of love we meet, 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.