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# Christmas in the Colonies
- URL: https://goodoil.news/christmas-in-the-colonies/
- Published: 2025-12-23T19:00:41.000Z
- Updated: 2025-12-23T19:00:40.000Z
- Description: This poem was written by Thomas Bracken (1841–1898) – the Irish-born New Zealand poet, journalist and politician.
- Author: Dr Michael John Schmidt
- Tags: NZ, History, Christmas

Dear all,

Thanks for reading the columns I have written in 2025, your support for the Good Oil and for the helpful comments. In celebration of Christmas and the New Year, I am sending you an interesting and entertaining poem.

This poem was written by Thomas Bracken (1841–1898) – the Irish-born New Zealand poet, journalist and politician. He is best known for writing “God Defend New Zealand”, which was adopted as the country’s national anthem. He published several volumes of poetry celebrating the New Zealand landscape and identity and also served as a member of parliament.

> **Christmas in the Colonies**  
>  
> No winter winds are blowing,  
> No snow lies on the ground,  
> The summer sun is glowing,  
> And Christmas comes around.  
>  
> No holly nor the ivy,  
> No snowflakes drift and fall,  
> But the crimson pōhutukawa  
> Is the fairest tree of all.  
>  
> The children’s voices ringing,  
> Make merry in the heat,  
> And Christmas bells are bringing  
> Their message clear and sweet.  
>  
> The old familiar stories  
> Are told in every home,  
> Though here the southern glories  
> Replace the northern snow.  
>  
> So let us keep the season  
> With laughter, love, and cheer,  
> For joy shall be the reason  
> That marks our Christmas here.

**Wishing readers all the best for 2026.**