Chester Borrows: Words of anthem ring true

Schoolchildren lead the singing of the national anthem at an Anzac Day service. Since the events of last Friday, it is likely to be sung with greater vigour, on more occasions and with a greater sense of relevance.

In 2005 when I was finally elected to Parliament, a supporter gave me a framed copy of the national anthem, God Defend New Zealand. All five verses.

It was a fairly low-grade copy — just a photocopy — but it stayed prominently displayed in my office over my 12-year tenure.

The anthem, which is in fact a prayer and the only national anthem to be a prayer, refers to God, without identifying any specific god. So is a pan-religion anthem.

It is inclusive and not exclusive. It doesn't even attribute gender to the God.

But there have been many who claim no religion who have argued for a secular anthem on the basis that they are excluded.

But phrases contained in the second verse are so applicable in this modern setting,
especially in light of last Friday's horror shooting in Christchurch; "Men of every creed and race; gather here before thy face; asking thee to bless this place; God defend our free land. From dissension, envy, hate; and corruption guard our state; Make our country good and great; God defend New Zealand."

The te reo version of the anthem extends to five verses as well, yet we tend to only sing the first verse which translates as "Oh Lord our God of nations and us too, listen to us, cherish us, let goodness flourish, may your blessings flow, defend Aotearoa".

Though many of us have faithfully sung these words not knowing their translated meaning, we cannot have any issue with them surely.

New Zealanders are comparatively laid-back when it comes to nationhood and pride, although we would argue that we live in the best little corner of the world, happily removed from the threats of proximity with the most populated of countries.

We do have a relatively peaceful existence in comparison to other countries and enjoy mild climate and freedom of movement while enjoying probably the most democratic of societies worldwide. But this doesn't mean there aren't ugly things we would rather not see or experience.

It doesn't mean that the freedom and democracy is enjoyed by everybody equally, as there is only so much freedom of choice and movement anyone can experience if living in poverty or experiencing racism.

I once led the singing of our national anthem at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris at the reigniting of the flame at La Tombe du Soldat Inconnu (the tomb of the unknown warrior).
It was a very special occasion. But last Sunday night at a service in the Catholic church,
yet attended by several denominations and religions, at the singing of God Defend New Zealand to end the service, the lines of this sung prayer became most poignant.

It strikes me that even those who would contest the presence of God in whatever form could never argue with the sentiments contained within its lines.

Identifying with the entreaty to peace, wholesomeness, loyalty, altruism, pride in country over race and religion, the call to love for one another and truthfulness is something we should all aspire to, or our motives would justifiably come into question.

Our country has experienced slaughter of our people before, but they were long enough ago for the rawness of the horror of such acts to be numbed for those unconnected.

For the same hatred to be lived out just last week is abhorrent to who we have become as a people. It will be a long time before becoming "comfortably numb" again, thank goodness.

Meanwhile, I sense that our anthem will be sung with greater vigour, at a louder volume, on more occasions and with greater sense of relevance than it has since we were ravaged by a different war.

Manaakitia mai, Aotearoa!

Chester Borrows served as Whanganui MP for 12 years and as a minister in the National Government. He is chairman of the Justice Reform Advisory Group.