evidence: In 1977, New Zealand adopted "God Defend New Zealand" as its national anthem. Did you know that the song was written by an Irish immigrant more than 100 years previously? [...] The song remained popular in the early 1900s and the Government of New Zealand officially purchased the rights of the song in 1940, making it a national hymn. [...] In 1976, Dunedin resident Garth Henry Latta presented New Zealand's government with a petition to make "God Defend New Zealand" the country's national anthem. One year later, the song became New Zealand's second national anthem after Queen Elizabeth II gave her permission.