National anthems of New Zealand

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/national-anthems-of-new-zealand

Step 2 · Questions

1. From the article, write the number of official national anthems:
2. From the article, write the anthems' equal status:
3. What are New Zealand's two official national anthems?
4. Why does New Zealand have two anthems instead of one?

Step 3 · Words to know

Write what each word means, using the article.

Vice-regal
Indigenous
Biculturalism
Te Reo Māori

Step 4 · Two facts in your own words

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Cite your source

National anthems of New Zealand. Small Whale. https://smallwhale.org/articles/national-anthems-of-new-zealand. Accessed 2026-09-23. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Answer key (teacher copy)

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. From the article, write the number of official national anthems:Two
2. From the article, write the anthems' equal status:Both anthems hold the same official legal standing
3. What are New Zealand's two official national anthems?New Zealand has "God Save the King" and "God Defend New Zealand" as its official national anthems.
4. Why does New Zealand have two anthems instead of one?Having two anthems lets New Zealand honor its ties to the British Crown while also celebrating its own unique identity, so both histories are respected.

Vice-regal: Pertaining to a governor or other officer representing a sovereign in a foreign country or colony.
Indigenous: Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
Biculturalism: The coexistence of two distinct cultures within a society, often with an emphasis on the relationship between the dominant and indigenous groups.
Te Reo Māori: The Māori language, an official language of New Zealand and a vital part of the nation's cultural heritage.