Awful anthem versions: Daze the music died

• Published date: 17 September 2023
• Publication title: Herald on Sunday

But there is of course an enduring sports tradition of butchering national anthems long before this, so let’s use the occasion to celebrate the three of the worst renditions of God Defend New Zealand

●American singer Crystal Collins was completely lost as she stumbled her way through the New Zealand national anthem ahead of a Kiwis rugby league clash against England in Denver, Colorado, in 2018. Sky TV commentator Glen Larmer called it “the worst rendition of the New Zealand national anthem that I’ve ever heard at a sporting event”.

●Another to fall well short of delivering what was required was Tessa King in March, ahead of Kiwi David Light’s WBO world cruiserweight title fight against Lawrence Okolie in Manchester. “Hear our voices we retreat,” is one line she didn’t quite nail.

●Emma Paki infamously botched the anthem ahead of a Kiwis-Kangaroos league test at North Harbour Stadium in 2003. Having unsteadily warbled her way through Advance Australia Fair in front of a capacity crowd, Paki then completely fluffed the lyrics to...