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New Zealand Anthem Exploration

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New Zealand Anthem Exploration

Read the information, then answer the questions. Use evidence from the text and explain your ideas in your own words.

A song shared across Aotearoa New Zealand

A national anthem is a song used to represent a country at important events. New Zealand has two national anthems with equal status: “God Defend New Zealand” and “God Save the King”. “God Defend New Zealand” is often sung at sports events and ceremonies. Thomas Bracken wrote the words of “God Defend New Zealand” as a poem in the 1870s. In 1876, the poem was set to music by John Joseph Woods, and the song was first performed that year. Thomas Henry Smith translated the words into te reo Māori in 1878. The Māori version is called “Aotearoa”. In 1977, “God Defend New Zealand” was formally recognised as a national anthem. The anthem is sung in English and te reo Māori. Singing both versions can recognise the languages and cultures that are part of Aotearoa New Zealand. An anthem may express hopes for a country, such as peace, unity and care for its people. People can respond to an anthem in different ways, and they do not all have to feel the same about it.

1870s — Thomas Bracken writes the poem

1876 — John Joseph Woods sets it to music; it is first performed

1878 — Thomas Henry Smith translates it into te reo Māori

1977 — “God Defend New Zealand” is formally recognised as a national anthem

Read, reason and respond

Use the passage and timeline for Questions 1–10.

1.Who wrote the words of “God Defend New Zealand”, and who set them to music?

2.Which statement about New Zealand’s national anthems is accurate?

“God Defend New Zealand” is the only national anthem.
“God Save the King” and “God Defend New Zealand” have equal status as national anthems.
“Aotearoa” replaced “God Defend New Zealand” in 1977.
New Zealand has no formally recognised national anthem.

3.Number these events from 1 (earliest) to 4 (latest): formal recognition as a national anthem; poem written; te reo Māori translation; music composed and first performance.

4.True or false: “Aotearoa” is the name of the te reo Māori version of “God Defend New Zealand”.

TrueFalse

5.The song was first performed in 1876 and formally recognised as a national anthem in 1977. How many years passed between those events?

6.Match each word with its meaning. Write the correct number beside each word.

A. anthem
B. translate
C. recognise
D. ceremony

2. a song that represents a country
4. a formal event with planned actions
3. to express the meaning of words in another language
1. officially accepted or acknowledged

7.The anthem can be sung in English and te reo Māori. Give one reason why hearing or singing both versions might matter to people in Aotearoa New Zealand.

8.A friend says, “The anthem became a national anthem in 1876.” Use one fact from the passage to correct your friend.

9.Imagine a community event where the anthem will be sung. Suggest one respectful way organisers could help people take part, including people who do not know the words.

10.The passage says an anthem may express hopes for a country. Name one hope you think an anthem could express, and explain why it matters.