Ko e Iki he Lagi

Ko e Iki he Lagi

English: The Lord in Heaven
National anthem of Niue
Lyrics	Unknown
Music	Unknown; prepared by Sioeli Fusikata
Adopted	1974
Audio sample
Instrumental version, 2023 file help

Original version, 1974

"Ko e Iki he Lagi" (English: "The Lord in Heaven"), also titled in English as "Lord in heaven, Thou art merciful", is the national anthem of Niue. It was adopted in 1974, when Niue became a self-governing state within the realm of New Zealand.

NASA astronaut image of Niue Island in the Pacific Ocean

History

During Niue's history as a territory of New Zealand, the national anthem of Niue was New Zealand's "God Defend New Zealand". "God Save the King" was (and still is) the royal anthem of the monarchy of New Zealand. "Ko e Iki he Lagi" was created before the 1970s. It is not known who composed the words or the music, but it is known that it was prepared (i.e. set down on paper) by Sioeli Fusikata. It had already become a popular song on Niue, but the opportunity had rarely arisen for people to sing it at public events. In the 1963 South Pacific Games, Niue used the Flag of New Zealand, in keeping with the rest of the colonies of the British Empire not using the Union Jack at the games. Niue also used "Ko e Iki he Lagi" as their anthem rather than "God Defend New Zealand", because the organisers had requested that "identifying tunes" be used to represent nations at the games instead of recognised national anthems. However, Niue did not win any of the events, so "Ko e Iki he Lagi" was not heard publicly at the games.

In 1974, the same year that Niue's new constitution granted Niue the status of free association with New Zealand upon the passage of the Niue Constitution Act 1974 in the Parliament of New Zealand, Niue adopted "Ko e Iki he Lagi" as their national anthem, superseding "God Defend New Zealand". "God Save the King" was retained as the royal anthem to be used when the monarch is present in Niue.

Lyrics

Niuean original	IPA transcription	English translation
Ko e Iki he Lagi Kua fakaalofa mai Ki Niue nei, ki Niue nei Kua pule totonu E Patuiki toatu Kua pule okooko ki Niue nei Ki Niue nei, ki Niue nei Ki Niue nei, ki Niue nei Kua pule okooko ki Niue nei Kua pule ki Niue nei	[ko e i.ki he la.ŋi] [ku.a fa.ka.a.lo.fa mai̯] [ki ni̯u.e nei̯ ki ni̯u.e nei̯] [ku.a pu.le to.to.nu] [e pa.tu.i.ki to.a.tu] [ku.a pu.le o.ko.o.ko ki ni̯u.e nei̯] [ki ni̯u.e nei̯ ki ni̯u.e nei̯] [ki ni̯u.e nei̯ ki ni̯u.e nei̯] [ku.a pu.le o.ko.o.ko ki ni̯u.e nei̯] [ku.a pu.le ki ni̯u.e nei̯]	The Lord in Heaven Who loves Niue, Niue Who rules kindly The Almighty Who rules completely over Niue Over Niue, Over Niue Over Niue, Over Niue Who rules completely over Niue Who rules over Niue

See also

• List of national anthems