Overview

The story of God Defend New Zealand is a curious one. After enterprising Irish settler Thomas Bracken penned the words, he held a competition for people to compose the music. The winner was John Joseph Woods, an obscure schoolteacher from Lawrence, central Otago. The story of its acceptance as our national anthem was long and fraught; there were many rivals, and dozens of songs purporting to be `New Zealand’s national song’ were written and published. It was not until 1972 that God Defend New Zealand was first heard at an Olympic Games (when the rowing eight won gold), and it took a further five years before it officially became one of our two national anthems. Max Cryer tells the full story of the rise, fall, rise and fall again of God Defend New Zealand, unearthing many fascinating and little-known facts along the way, and correcting some popular misconceptions. Heavily illustrated, this delightful book will enlighten, astonish and entertain.

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9780908988358

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Max Cryer is one of New Zealand's most prominent entertainers and broadcasters. Well-known as a singer, compere, television presenter and quizmaster, in recent years he has gained further celebrity through his popular 'Curious Questions' programme on National Radio, and three best-selling Curious books about the English language. He has always had a strong interest in early Victorian and colonial songs. Max is a full-time writer living in Auckland.

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