Anthem divisive

Jacinda Ardern, like many of us, is said to have expressed disquiet over our national anthem, God Defend New Zealand.

No government would consider changing its lyrics without the community’s agreement. Criticism certainly exists, but it is mostly subdued. James Nokise’s column, These are the real Kiwi anthems that unite us (April 30), is timely, as modification is overdue.

Our national anthem was a religious poem about New Zealand in the 1870s, thought to be suitable for our national anthem when put to music, then officially adopted by the government.

The wording fails to laud the values Kiwis cherish, like equal status for all, friendliness, freedom of belief, insistence on a fair go, gender and racial equality, help for the down-trodden and, above all, our unity, our ability to get along harmoniously, by and large. Our refusal to bow down to anyone is a major omission too.

The anthem is divisive, even racist, as there is no mention of the original settlers, Ma¯ ori.

My petition, urging the Government to consider changing the words of God Defend New Zealand, is on the Petitions to Parliament online site, for anyone to sign. It closes on May 30.

Bill Wollerman , Lower Hutt [abridged]