Privilege in Perpetuity

Exploding a Pākehā Myth

Print publication: Mar 1, 2023

eBook publication:Dec 30, 2022

Pages: 0

RRP: $20.00

ISBN: 9781990046346

'The idea of Māori privilege continues to be deployed in order to constrain Māori aspirations and maintain the power imbalance that colonisation achieved in the nineteenth century.'

The ‘idea of Māori privilege’, as Peter Meihana describes it, is deeply embedded in New Zealand culture. Many New Zealanders hold firm to the belief that Māori have been treated better than other indigenous peoples, and that they receive benefits that other New Zealanders do not. Some argue that the supposed privileges that Māori receive are a direct attack on the foundations of the nation.

Privilege in Perpetuity charts the eighteenth-century origins of this idea, tracing its development over time, and assesses what impact this notion of privilege has had on Māori communities. Central to this history is the paradox, explored by Meihana, of how Māori were rendered landless and politically marginalised, yet at the same time were somehow still considered privileged. The idea of privilege is revealed as central to colonisation in New Zealand and the dispossession and marginalisation of Māori – and as a stubbornly persistent prejudice that remains in place today.

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'Meihana's Privilege in Perpetuity is the gift you want to give to those whose ideas about New Zealand history lie in some strange and uninformed past, or insecure and fearful present. It is a compact answer to some of those maddening town hall and social media slogans. It is also a fine demonstration of another way to bring the wealth of doctoral research to a wide audience.' – Charlotte Macdonald, New Zealand Journal of History

'Meihana delivers a sustained critical engagement with the oddly enduring myth of Māori privilege. His elegant, succinct book traces the myth from its inception in the eighteenth century through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries but very much speaks to our present where this myth stubbornly continues to hold some sway.' – Matthew Wynard, New Zealand Sociology

'Better understanding of the privilege myth’s history might help put it to bed. Meihana’s book deserves wide readership.' – Elspect McLean, Otago Daily Times

'I found the historical background to the origin of the Māori privilege myth, as explained by Meihana, absolutely fascinating ... Meihana’s writing is very instructive, in that it totally explains why, once again, the claim of Māori privilege is gaining momentum.' – Donna Miles, The Press

'Privilege in Perpetuity charts the eighteenth-century origins of this idea, tracing its development over time, and assesses what impact this notion of privilege has had on Māori communities. Central to this history is the paradox, explored by Meihana, of how Māori were rendered landless and politically marginalised, yet at the same time were somehow still considered privileged. The idea of privilege is revealed as central to colonisation in New Zealand and the dispossession and marginalisation of Māori – and as a stubbornly persistent prejudice that remains in place today.' – Ed Amon, New Books Network

'Historical literacy and awareness is the enemy of ill-informed bigotry. That is why the teaching of New Zealand history in all schools from this year is so important. And it’s also why Peter Meihana’s book charting the origins and subsequent development of the notion of Māori privilege is so timely.' – Vincent O'Malley, Newsroom

'The process of colonisation in New Zealand saw land and resources taken from Māori control and transferred to settler ownership. Yet, despite that undisputed history of dispossession, there remains a persistent idea that Māori have had it good. Historian Peter Meihana explains why the myth of Māori privilege persists.' – Connie Buchanan, E-Tangata

'[Meihana explores how] the misconception that Māori have more privilege than Pākehā is kept alive today for the same reasons it evolved back in the 19th century – to maintain a cultural power imbalance.' – Radio New Zealand

'The book analyses the 18th century origins of the idea, traces its development, and looks at the impact the notion of privilege has had on Māori. It explores the paradox of how despite being rendered landless and politically marginalised, Māori were still somehow considered privileged.' – Ripu Bhatia, Stuff

'[Meihana] demonstrates in his research that the idea of Māori privilege was central to the colonisation of New Zealand and still exerts an influence today.' – Massey News