Editorial: Why not learn the words?

Do you know the words to the Maori version of God Defend New Zealand?

Rotorua soprano Elizabeth Marvelly, a star among Kiwi national anthem singers, notably at All Blacks matches, has pointed out that the volume of the crowd rises noticeably when the Maori part of the anthem has finished and the English language version begins.

She thinks New Zealanders should know the Maori words and more people should learn them.

She's not wrong. Over the past several years the bilingual anthem has become the version many of us are used to, and as such it would make sense for us all to know the words.

Maybe I watch too many footy matches but I can recite the lyrics easily, and at just a few lines it's not exactly a hard task for others to master.

In much the same way as people call for a new flag, there have been criticisms of our anthem as a boring dirge, and while I don't subscribe to that view, and feel patriotism and pride when I hear it, the te reo lines certainly add a touch of magic to its singing.

Perhaps our broadcasters might borrow a trick from karaoke and screen the words as they're being sung at the start of Rugby World Cup matches, bouncing ball and all.

Then we'll all be "E ihowa"-ing with ease in no time.