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National Anthem Exploration

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National Anthem Exploration

Read the information card, then help a building-site team prepare a thoughtful introduction to New Zealand’s national anthem. You do not need to share any religious belief: consider what the words ask for and what they may mean to different people.

Anthem information card

New Zealand has two national anthems with equal status: “God Defend New Zealand” and “God Save the King”. “God Defend New Zealand” began as a poem by Thomas Bracken in the 1870s. John Joseph Woods composed its music after a competition. It was first performed publicly six years after 1870. It became an official national anthem three years before 1980. The anthem has Māori and English versions. Its words ask for protection, peace, justice and unity. People may sing it at ceremonies and sporting events. A national anthem can express shared hopes and identity, but people can interpret its words in different ways.

1.Sione, Anahera and Rawiri are planning a short introduction before an anthem is played at a building-site opening ceremony. In one or two sentences, explain what a national anthem is and why a country might have one.

2.Complete the timeline fact from the information card: Thomas Bracken wrote the poem in the .

3.Complete the timeline fact from the information card: The poem was first performed publicly in .

4.Complete the timeline fact from the information card: “God Defend New Zealand” became an official national anthem in .

5.Choose the accurate statement about New Zealand’s national anthems.

“God Defend New Zealand” is the only national anthem.
“God Save the King” and “God Defend New Zealand” have equal status.
The anthem became official in 1876, when it was first performed.
John Joseph Woods wrote the poem and Thomas Bracken composed the music.

6.Which two ideas are named in the information card as hopes expressed by the words of “God Defend New Zealand”? Choose two.

Peace
Justice
Winning every competition
Becoming the largest country

7.Match each person or group with their contribution to the anthem’s history.

Thomas Bracken
John Joseph Woods
People in New Zealand

Composed the music
Wrote the poem
May sing it at ceremonies and sporting events

8.The anthem has Māori and English versions. Give one reason having versions in both languages can matter in Aotearoa New Zealand.

9.Rawiri says, “Everyone must understand the anthem’s prayer in exactly the same way.” Is this a fair statement? Explain using an idea from the information card.

10.Anahera is writing a welcoming sentence for the ceremony. Write one sentence that describes a hope or value connected with the anthem without assuming that every person has the same beliefs.

11.The team wants to explain why an anthem can matter at a community event. Give two ways a national anthem may help represent or bring people together.

12.Write a brief, original two-line message for the building-site opening that expresses a hope for Aotearoa New Zealand. Do not copy the anthem’s lyrics.