John Joseph Woods (1849 - 1934) Nouvelle-Zélande John Joseph Woods was a New Zealand teacher and songwriter. He is best known for winning a competition to set "God Defend New Zealand", a poem by Thomas Bracken, to music. By doing this, he composed the tune to what later became New Zealand's national anthem. Woods was also the Tuapeka County Council clerk for 55 years. (Hide extended text)...(Read all) Source : Wikipedia