Oct 11
13
The first verse which is mostly sung when the All Blacks play Rugby is below. For the complete anthem, and more detailed discussion on the origins of the translation, the common mistakes and literal translation can be found at Folk Song .
The vowels with macrons indicate the vowel is pronounced longer.
E Ihowa Atua
O ngā iwi mātou rā,
āta whakarongo na;
Me aroha noa.
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau tō atawhai;
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa.
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.