Thomas Bracken

#295 Do - Celebrate the life and work of Thomas Bracken. In July 1876 a poem written by Mr Bracken was published in the New Zealand Saturday Advertiser, titled ‘National Hymn’ with a competition to compose an air for the poem. 12 entries were judged and the winner was a teacher from Lawrence, John Joseph Woods. This was to become our national anthem, God Defend New Zealand. It was first performed in 1876 at a concert in Queen’s Theatre in Dunedin. It became popular, but it wasn’t until 1977 that it was recognised as holding equal status as a national anthem with God Save the Queen. Thomas Bracken was born in Ireland and sent to family in Australia when he was orphaned at 12 years old. He moved to Dunedin in 1869 and after a career as a poet, journalist, editor and politician, he died here in 1898. Today I weaved through the Northern Cemetery to find his gravestone and memorial plaque.