I have decided to write to you regarding your impression of our politically flawed National Anthem.
For starters as you put it, God is not at our feet among the smelly jandals and dirty rugby boots. 'At thy feet” is at God's feet, 'thy” being his feet, not ours!
The word bond does not necessarily lean towards a nation of perverts – there are many meanings of the word 'bond”. Join or unite springs to mind, rather than bondage and discipline.
Now for the 'twisted bit” as you put it – yes, the word triple pertains to the three islands that make up our little bit of paradise, not stars, but shores!
'Guard Pacific's triple shores, from the shafts of strife and war.”
Maybe Mr Bracken's handwriting wasn't the best and an error was made somewhere. So just change one word and all your concerns about
our anthem will be put to rest.
Go the mighty All Blacks and God Defend New Zealand!

S Daniels, Tauranga