Question: who wrote the words to the new zealand national anthem
Answer: God Defend New Zealand National anthem of New Zealand Also known as `` Aotearoa '' ( Māori version ) English : `` New Zealand '' Lyrics Thomas Bracken , 1870s ( English ) Music John Joseph Woods , 1876 Adopted 1940 ( as national hymn ) 1977 ( as national anthem ) Audio sample `` God Defend New Zealand '' ( instrumental ) file help