What is e ihoa atua in English?

Answer 1

This phrase is most often seen in the first words of the New Zealand National Anthem (Thomas Bracken version).

Sung as: "E I- ho-a, A- tu-a" in Maori and translated to and sung as "God of na-tions at Thy feet" in English.

Reference: The New Zealand Gazette 1 June No.48 pp1749

According to Official New Zealand sources the correct spelling is: "E Ihowā Atua".

Ihoa is considered an alternate spelling, used mistakenly, in place of the original (correct) spelling "Ihowa. "

Strictly speaking, Ihowa, or Ihoa, is Maori for "Jehovah".

http://folksong.org.nz/e_ihowa_atua/
relates the erroneous substitution of Ihoa for Ihowa, saying: " But it has been sung this way so so often, that it has become an accepted alternative in Māori speech and writing for "Jehovah." "

The Anthem in English is not technically a 'true' translation of the Maori since the name Jehovah is substituted with the title God, and for other, mostly poetic, reasons.

Note, New Zealand is said to have two equally important Anthems:
"God Defend New Zealand" (in Maori and English), and
"God Save the Queen"

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage discusses the Anthems here:
http://www.mch.govt.nz/anthem/index.html

A list of translations for Jehovah in numerous languages, including Maori, can be found here:
http://www.watchtower.org/e/na/article_02.htm