About This Event
Piringatahi: Aotearoa anthems is presented at Whare Wānanga, Central City Library, 44–46 Lorne Street, Auckland, on Thursday 20 August 2026 at 2 pm. These afternoon sessions run after the Notes on Tāmaki concert, which takes place from 12.10 pm to 1 pm.
The session looks at God Defend New Zealand, one of the country’s most powerful symbols of national identity. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections holds the original manuscript, lyrics and Māori translation, all listed on the New Zealand Memory of the World Register. The collections also hold material showing that enthusiasm for a “local” anthem existed alongside support for Britain and the royals, and that several other national songs were commonly sung as possible alternatives.
All welcome. Bookings are required.
Event Flyer
