The Royal Who Called Maori “Domestic Pets”

A hard-hitting letter written by Prince Philip providing a withering critique of New Zealand following the 1954 state visit has recently been auctioned in England. The letter was expected to fetch £300. It sold for twelve times that, reaching £3,600. The comments in the letter made for interesting reading then and equally interesting reading now. Particularly blunt are those relating to Maori, how Pakeha view them and their lack of leadership.

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Prince Phillip wrote that New Zealanders appear to regard Maori as somewhere between museum pieces and domestic pets. I’m pretty sure the idea of them being museum pieces can be debunked but the term “domestic pets” is arguably as applicable now as it was then. In my view, many Maori have only themselves to blame. They have put themselves into this situation instead of adopting a more independent stance. By blaming all their ills on the so-called colonial oppressors of the past they turn themselves into victims and, one could argue, the “domestic pets” of the modern-day “colonial oppressors.”

At the time of Philip writing the letter, Maori were totally reliant on the Government for their needs such as housing, health, employment and welfare. Today, with a Maori economy worth approximately $50 billion they are in a much better position to take a more independent approach to their circumstances. They now have the opportunity to better carve out their future as a race. There is now an option for them, using their own financial resources, to benefit themselves as a whole, independent of government reliance.

The fact they haven’t done this is cause for questioning. Do they not see this as a positive step? Do they not wish to avail themselves of their own resources or has the thought not occurred to them. Do they prefer the status quo where they just sit there with their begging bowls impersonating Oliver Twist asking for more? Maori need to realise that as long as they tread this path they will be treated, as Philip said back in 1954, like domestic pets.

Philip commented that there seemed to be no official policy for them that was at all enlightened. Over the years, that is exactly how successive Labour Governments have treated them. Like little poodles on a leash, they give them just enough food [policy], mainly welfare, to stop them yapping at their heels. In fact, if Labour didn’t feed them at all they’d still get their vote and they know it. So the reality is, it’s not their enemies the “colonial oppressors” who have let them down, it’s their so-called friends in the Labour Party who just use and abuse them.

Imagine if Maori absconded from the poorhouse Labour has put them in and instead, using their own inspiration, vision and financial resources went about sorting out their problems themselves and benefited from their achievements. How proud would that make them feel? Philip mentioned in his letter that Maori were lacking leadership.

Now would be a good time for those at the forefront of the Maori economy to take leadership roles and engage with those at the coalface of dealing with Maori problems. They could work together to improve the conditions of their peoples independent of Government.

If they do not embark upon such a journey they will forever be, if not New Zealand’s, certainly the Labour Party’s domestic pets.

As an adjunct, Philip made another comment which reflects where we are headed currently. He thought we were over-governed with not much room for initiative. In fact, the perfect welfare state. What a perceptive man!

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