Coalition Permitted To Use Anthem (Press, 9 October 1985)
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Summary: Coalition Permitted To Use Anthem (Press, 9 October 1985)
On 9 October 1985, the Coalition of Concerned Citizens faced no legal barriers in promoting their handbill titled "The Future is Bright," which incorporated verses from New Zealand's national anthem, "God Defend New Zealand." This situation arose during a parliamentary discussion concerning the handbill's circulation by petition promoters Sir Peter Tait and Mr Keith Hay, who are opposing homosexual law reform. The acting Minister of Justice, Mr Caygill, clarified that the New Zealand Government had purchased the copyright for the anthem's lyrics in 1940; however, this copyright had expired by 1948. As a result, the words of the national anthem are now in the public domain, allowing for their unrestricted use.
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