Together in Song

New Zealand’s national anthem could soon be played alongside the Australian during Anzac Day ceremonies at Queensland schools. Premier Anna Bligh, who is chairwoman of the Anzac Day Commemoration Committee (ADCC), is to send a letter to principals asking them to play ‘God Defend New Zealand’ along with ‘Advance Australia Fair’. “This would be a fitting tribute and suitable recognition of the members of the New Zealand armed forces who have served alongside the men and women of our Australian armed forces during wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations,” Bligh says in the letter. More than 150,000 New Zealanders live in Queensland, about 40 per cent of all New Zealanders in Australia. ‘God Defend New Zealand’ was first performed at the Queen’s Theatre, Princes Street, Dunedin, on Christmas Day, 1876.