Monday 9 May 2022 08:08 AM Prince Harry speaks Māori to launch new project being launched in New Zealand ... trends now

Prince Harry will make a major announcement tonight about his new project being launched out of New Zealand.

Details of the new project will be revealed during an exclusive interview with Te Ao with Moana on Māori Television in New Zealand.

In a preview of the interview, Prince Harry said he will be sharing details of a 'new kaupapa'. Kaupapa is the Māori word for work that is considered principled and for public good. 

Presenter Moana Maniapoto said she hopes Prince Harry's message will 'spark a discussion' among viewers. 

Harry is known to love New Zealand and he and Meghan were said to have seriously discussed emigrating there when they quit as frontline royals before plumping for a brief stay in Canada and then a move to Los Angeles. The details of the project he will announce has been kept secret.

But Ms Maniapoto said the prince's new project has been inspired by Māori values around Kaitiakitanga, which translates to 'guardianship and protection'. 

'It's interesting to hear someone who's a royal speak about Māori values, given our history but also given the current debates about having Māori values at the forefront of decision making and relationships,' she said. 

'We are open to talking to anyone… anything that particularly resonates with our values as Māori - whether we agree or not. We talk about the Crown every week. I'm hoping that we will have an interview further down the track to tease out that relationship between Māori and the Crown.'

The Prince's popularity in New Zealand exploded after he visited in 2015, learning the Haka in 20 minutes and reciting a speech in Māori.