When one reads the article below, it really makes you wonder if after two centuries of close contact, colonialization, followed by a relationship of ‘equals,’ that the UK has learnt nothing of what such a relationship entails. Surely it entails knowing your host, the customs of its people and the necessity to understand the protocols held most precious. Anyone with a modicum of knowledge about a Powhiri (Traditional welcome) would expect the future King of the British Commonwealth to have good advisers at his call, should know that 90 minutes for the above ceremony is just not going to make the cut. Come on---- our future monarch; the proposed visit to the Maori King should have been a highlight of your trip, one that was going to take centre stage. Yon are here for quite a few days and any discussions scheduled with our ‘esteemed’ PM could have been curtailed because they are merely ‘words,’ to add to the real relationship that exists between our two nations. It is not too late to make amends and do things properly---I hope, or you risk lessening the tie that many Maori hold close to their hearts. It was after all, the ‘Crown’ who signed the ‘founding document’ with the Maori King’s predessors, for NZ as a nation.
www.authorneilcoleman.com
King rejects Prince - visit too short
5:30 AM Tuesday Mar 4, 2014
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Courtesy call by William on Tuheitia cancelled because 90 minutes 'not enough' to meet Maori protocol.
It is one of the most anticipated arrivals of the year - but Maori royalty have rejected an offer of a visit by Prince William because not enough time was given.
The Duke of Cambridge will tour New Zealand next month with his wife, Kate, and their baby, Prince George.
The visit to New Zealand, then Australia, will be the first public engagement for the 8-month-old.
But it was confirmed yesterday that a trip to Turangawaewae had been cancelled by King Tuheitia.
Prime Minister John Key said the decision was made solely by the Maori King's advisers, but the King's office made no comment.
"My understanding is the palace offered King Tuheitia's people an opportunity for the Prince to visit. They were offered a 90-minute slot. That was longer than pretty much any other engagement they have and King Tuheitia's people decided that wasn't long enough and on that basis, they rejected him actually attending."
It is understood the slot would not be long enough for proper protocol to be carried out during the visit.
Mr Key said: "It's a matter for them to decide their own thing, but in the end [Prince William] has a fairly tight timetable ... I would have thought [90 minutes] was quite generous.
"I think it's a shame he's not going, but that was a decision solely made by King Tuheitia's people."
The royal visit, from April 7 to 16, will be the Duchess' first trip to New Zealand and Prince George's first big appearance abroad. The Queen has given special permission for both heirs to the British throne to travel on the same aircraft, as royal protocol usually dictates that direct heirs travel separately.
Prince George - whose first royal tour mirrors the trip made by his father with Charles and Diana, the Prince and Princess of Wales, in 1983 - will be accompanied by a full-time nanny, currently being recruited.
Aides have arranged a "hub and spoke" travel plan for the tour, based on the couple's desire to spend as much time with their son as possible.
Visitors' schedule
April 7: Wellington: Arrive at Wellington Airport and receive ceremonial welcome at Government House.
April 8: Day off.
April 9: Plunket Parents' Group, Government House, Wellington.
April 10: Blenheim: Wreath-laying at war memorial and visit to World War I aviation commemorative event at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, accompanied by film-maker Sir Peter Jackson; State reception at Government House in Wellington with Prime Minister John Key.
April 11: Auckland: Meeting with air force personnel, yachting on Waitemata Harbour, ride in amphibious vehicle.
April 12: Waikato: Duke visits Pacific Aerospace, Duchess visits Rainbow Place Children's Hospice in Hamilton. Couple both visit war memorial in Cambridge, then open Avantidome velodrome in Hamilton.
April 13: Dunedin: Church service and visit to touch rugby tournament at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Queenstown: Visit to Amisfield winery and Shotover Jet white water ride.
April 14: Christchurch: Event to commemorate 185 victims of 2011 earthquake; couple play cricket to help publicise 2015 Cricket World Cup, visit to Wigram Air Force Base.
April 15: Day off.
April 16: Wellington: Royal New Zealand Police College visit, walkabout in city. Leave for Australia.
April 8: Day off.
April 9: Plunket Parents' Group, Government House, Wellington.
April 10: Blenheim: Wreath-laying at war memorial and visit to World War I aviation commemorative event at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, accompanied by film-maker Sir Peter Jackson; State reception at Government House in Wellington with Prime Minister John Key.
April 11: Auckland: Meeting with air force personnel, yachting on Waitemata Harbour, ride in amphibious vehicle.
April 12: Waikato: Duke visits Pacific Aerospace, Duchess visits Rainbow Place Children's Hospice in Hamilton. Couple both visit war memorial in Cambridge, then open Avantidome velodrome in Hamilton.
April 13: Dunedin: Church service and visit to touch rugby tournament at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Queenstown: Visit to Amisfield winery and Shotover Jet white water ride.
April 14: Christchurch: Event to commemorate 185 victims of 2011 earthquake; couple play cricket to help publicise 2015 Cricket World Cup, visit to Wigram Air Force Base.
April 15: Day off.
April 16: Wellington: Royal New Zealand Police College visit, walkabout in city. Leave for Australia.
- additional reporting: Telegraph Group Ltd
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