National Anthems.

[Sheeana]

Inspired by my irreverent sig

• [God of nations, Smell my Feet,
  In the bonds of Coronation Street.
  Hear our voices, "tweet! tweet! tweeeet!"
  God defend our Toilet Seat!]

I thought it would be interesting to post the lyrics of the National Anthem for our respective countries. It would also be good if you can explain what it means (both translation, and explanation.) Anyway, without further waffling, here's the New Zealand anthem:

• English Version
  
  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.
  
  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.
  
  Peace, not war, shall be our boast
  But, should foes assail our coast,
  Make us then a mighty host,
  God defend our free land.
  Lord of battles, in Thy might,
  Put our enemies to flight,
  Let our cause be just and right,
  God defend New Zealand.
  
  Let our love for Thee increase,
  May Thy blessings never cease,
  Give us plenty, give us peace,
  God defend our free land.
  From dishonour and from shame,
  Guard our country's spotless name,
  Crown her with immortal fame,
  God defend New Zealand.
  
  May our mountains ever be,
  Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
  Make us faithful unto thee,
  God defend our free land.
  Guide her in the nations' van,
  Preaching love and truth to man,
  Working out Thy Glorious plan,
  God defend New Zealand.
  
  
  Maori version
  
  E Ihowä Atua,
  O ngä iwi mätou rä
  Äta whakarongona;
  Me aroha noa
  Kia hua ko te pai;
  Kia tau tö atawhai;
  Manaakitia mai
  Aotearoa
  
  Öna mano tängata
  Kiri whero, kiri mä,
  Iwi Mäori Päkehä,
  Rüpeke katoa,
  Nei ka tono ko ngä hë
  Mäu e whakaahu kë,
  Kia ora märire
  Aotearoa
  
  Töna mana kia tü!
  Töna kaha kia ü;
  Töna rongo hei pakü
  Ki te ao katoa
  Aua rawa ngä whawhai
  Ngä tutü a tata mai;
  Kia tupu nui ai
  Aotearoa
  
  Waiho tona takiwä
  Ko te ao märama;
  Kia whiti töna rä
  Taiäwhio noa.
  Ko te hae me te ngangau
  Meinga kia kore kau;
  Waiho i te rongo mau
  Aotearoa
  
  Töna pai me toitü
  Tika rawa, pono pü;
  Töna noho, tana tü;
  Iwi nö Ihowä.
  Kaua möna whakamä;
  Kia hau te ingoa;
  Kia tü hei tauira;
  Aotearoa

You can apparently listen to it here, but I haven't tried, so I don't vouch for it.

Further information:
God Defend New Zealand is one of the national anthems of New Zealand, together with God Save the Queen. Although they both have equal status, only God Defend New Zealand is used, and most New Zealanders would be unaware that the country has two national anthems. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage has responsibility for the national anthems.

History

The words for God Defend New Zealand were written as a poem in the 1870s by Thomas Bracken. A competition to compose music for the poem was held in 1876, with a prize of ten guineas. The winner of the competition was John Joseph Woods, who had composed the melody in a single sitting the evening after finding out about the competition.

The song became increasingly popular during the 19th century and early 20th century, and in 1940, the New Zealand government bought the copyright and made it New Zealand's national hymn in time for the centennial celebrations. In 1976, a petition was presented to parliament asking for it to be made the national anthem, and with the permission of Queen Elizabeth II, it became the country's second national anthem on November 21, 1977.

An alternative official arrangement for massed singing by Maxwell Fernie was announced by the Minister of Internal Affairs on June 1, 1978. ~ http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Defend_New_Zealand

I should add that generally only the first couple of verses in English and Maori are sung, and if it's a male sport like rugby, then the Haka can sometimes replace/supplement the National Anthem.

Edit: if anyone's interested in a translation of the maori version, I'll post it at a later stage.