The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has chosen to launch a new campaign inspired by Māori values on Māori Television's current affairs programme Te Ao with Moana.
The campaign is part of his new eco-travel non-profit organisation, Travalyst, working to identify and bring about systemic changes needed for sustainable travel.
It will work with six top travel brands, such as Google and Skyscanner, to collect and display flight emissions data, so when consumers want to book a flight with lower emissions, they will be able to find the information they need easily.
Prince Harry says the campaign was inspired by kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga that he learned about during trips to New Zealand over the years.
"I've been to Aotearoa a number of times throughout my life and I've always felt a deep connection and respect toward the Māori people who make me feel so welcome every time," Prince Harry said on Te Ao with Moana.
"The Māori culture inherently understands sustainable practices and taking better care of our life-giving land, which are critical lessons we can all learn and that is why I'm here with you on Te Ao [with] Moana to share a new kaupapa."
The new Travalyst promo video features Prince Harry, Rena Owen, Rhys Darby and Dave Fane.
First thought: 'A scam'
Te Ao with Moana presenter Moana Maniapoto said it was bizarre being contacted by Prince Harry's representatives to have him on the show.
“I thought it was a scammer, truly, but no, it all checked out,” Moana said. “Prince Harry wanted the worldwide launch out of Aotearoa and on this programme.”
Maniapoto said it was nice to see Māori inspiring people worldwide.
“Isn’t it interesting that, here’s Prince Harry, a royal, [who has] no problem with embracing Māori values as a way forward. It makes you wonder what our problem is here with power-sharing and trusting - that Māori might have a solution.”
On the programme Prince Harry also talked about how impressed he was by the efforts of the Tiaki Promise, an initiative by Tourism Industry Aotearoa encouraging all travellers to act as guardians of Aotearoa.
'Country of sustainability pioneers'
He also spoke about how touched he and his wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, felt after visiting Aotearoa and meeting “young people who are dedicated to the Māori culture”.
“They are rightly determined to make this world a better place for the next generation. Guided by Māori knowledge and practices Aotearoa is a country of sustainability pioneers.”