New Zealand Anthem
Fri, 18 May 2001 11:27
Written in the 1870's, "God defend New Zealand", was finally adopted as the country's national song in 1940 and in the 1970's was adopted as the national anthem.
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
E Ihoa Atua,
0 nga Iwi! Matoura,
Ata whaka rongona;
Me aroha roa.
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau to atawhai;
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa.
[English second verse]
Men of ev'ry creed and race
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our Free Land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our State,
Make our country good
and great,
God defend New Zealand.
The Haka
However, probably more asscociated with the New Zealand rugby is their trademark pre-match ritual, the Haka.
[Spoken by the leader]
Ringa pakia
Uma tiraha
Turi whatia
Hope whai ake
Waewae takahia kia kino
[The actual Haka as performed by all the All Blacks]
Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!
Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!
Tenei te tangata puhuru huru
Nana nei i tiki mai
Whakawhiti te ra
A upa ... ne! ka upa ... ne!
A upane kaupane whiti te ra!
Hi !!!