One hundred years of Māori privilege is the focus of doctoral research by Massey Māori historian Peter Meihana.

His thesis covers the first 100 years of colonisation – from 1840-1940 – and examines what he calls the “idea of Māori privilege”, where the idea came from, how it developed over time, and its influence on government policy.

Mr Meihana completed his master’s degree at Massey on the involvement of Ngāti Kuia in the seabed and foreshore issue and since 2008 has taught the undergraduate papers New Zealand Land Wars and Māori Responses to Colonisation.

He was recently appointed lecturer of Māori history in the School of Humanities and plans to introduce new Māori history papers once he completes his PhD early next year.