For guidance in choosing which anthem should be presented on any occasion, Her Majesty has agreed that 'God Save The Queen' would be specially appropriate at any occasion where Her Majesty The Queen, or a member of the Royal Family, or the Governor-General, when within New Zealand, is officially present or when loyalty to the crown is to be stressed, while 'God Defend New Zealand' would be specially appropriate whenever the national identity of New Zealand is to be stressed even in association with a toast to Her Majesty as Queen of New Zealand.
Both anthems may be presented at the same occasion, if this course should appear to be appropriate, but the usual situation will be for one or the other to be played or performed as appropriate to the occasion.
There are no set guidelines when performing 'God Defend New Zealand' in both English and Maori. The current protocol allows for either version to be sung in any order. However, when singing the first verse in Maori it is practice to repeat the verse in English.
Any further queries regarding the performance of the National Anthems should be forwarded to:
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
PO Box 5364
Wellington
