Dr Peter Meihana
Dr Peter Meihana is of Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne, Ngāti Apa ki Te Ra Tō and Ngāi Tahu descent. He is the author of Privilege in Perpetuity, Exploding a Pākehā Myth. The book is based on Peter’s doctoral thesis, which examined the notion of Māori ‘privilege’ and its role in the colonisation of New Zealand. He has published articles and chapters on this topic and the histories and traditions of Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui. Peter is a senior lecturer in Māori History at Massey University and lives in Blenheim.
.jpg?202305210120)
2023 festival session
Exploding a Pākehā Myth - Wairau Launch
Dr Peter Meihana in conversation with Emma Tucker
Growing up, Peter often heard that Māori received special treatment and had advantages that other New Zealanders did not. However, this idea didn’t match with his life experience as Māori nor did it match with what he learned when he became hooked on studying history. He blew the myth apart in his doctorate thesis and has kindly encapsulated his argument for the lay reader in his important new book, Privilege in Perpetuity, Exploding a Pākehā Myth.