Prince Harry Roasted For ‘Appropriating Maori Culture’ After Starring in Skit Plugging Travalyst

An undated handout video of Prince Harry appearing in a sustainable travel campaign skit for his non-profit Travalyst in New Zealand has placed him in the crosshairs of royal fans on social media.

Prince Harry has been accused of “appropriating” Maori culture over his appearance in an advert to promote his eco-friendly travel firm, Travalyst.

The Duke of Sussex, outfitted in a “Girl Dad” t-shirt and Apple Airpod headphones, appeared in the five-minute video skit, published on the Travalyst YouTube page. He was shown jogging through what was meant to be “New Zealand woodland”, filmed in California.

Suddenly, he was accosted by “rating agent” Rhys Darby, who accused him of dropping a candy wrapper four years earlier on a trip to the country with his wife, Meghan Markle.

The duke also offered up several phrases in Te Reo Maori as he conversed in the video with Star Wars actress Rena Owen, who pulled up in a van to check on the "rating" agents.

When asked how he is, Prince Harry says in Maori, “Kei te pai" ["I am fine"] and acknowledges the rating “has got me thinking”.

The promo for Travalyst, launched by Prince Harry in 2019, sought to encourage New Zealanders to think of sustainability when planning their holidays.

"While travellers have long been able to rate their holiday stay, Travalyst is now asking: How would your holiday rate you?" a release on the company's website stated, with New Zealanders now having access to a travel rating tool.

As he launched his campaign on Maori Television's current affairs programme Te Ao with Moana, Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson described New Zealand as a country of “sustainability pioneers”.

However, on Twitter, some royal fans were not amused, as they accused Prince Harry of appropriating Maori culture to promote his eco-firm.

Thought I was in a parallel universe (or delirious) watching this. 4.52min later (had to Google: it’s a campaign for eco-travel New Zealand 🤷🏼‍♀️) featuring #PrinceHarry & Aiotoera trip raters ‘rating’ his trip to NZ. Had absolutely no idea what it was about. https://t.co/ZdRACcWF21 pic.twitter.com/aiHEneGiih

— Melissa Hoyer (@melissahoyer) May 9, 2022

I’m cringing so hard right now. I could only last 30 seconds. Was this filmed in NZ or the California wilds, pretending to be NZ? Some of those trees look a bit suss.

— Madam Defarge 🟩⬜️🟪 (@Madamdefa) May 9, 2022

Usually a white man launching a global brand would be accused of appropriating Maori culture. Not sure Prince Harry will get the same treatment.

— Samuel Hill (@SamuelHillNZ) May 9, 2022

Thought H was off making the world a more equal place, one polo game at a time? No thanks, his video performances are excruciating.

— Chappy4151 (@chappy4151) May 9, 2022

How does it feel for Maori to be used by Harry to market his business. Did he ask first?

— Ranne (@Ranneadohr) May 10, 2022

Some tweeps slammed the skit as “ridiculous”.

This was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen! Oh I’m so glad Prince Philip isn’t here to see it!!

— GxVE ME MORE! ❤️ (@Shefani_fan13) May 9, 2022

Oh my gawd. Please let this horror show end. 🙈🙈🙈

— Carina (@Royale2222) May 9, 2022

What did NZ do to deserve this?

— Claire Champion (@Champion3Claire) May 9, 2022

Thought H was off making the world a more equal place, one polo game at a time? No thanks, his video performances are excruciating.

— Chappy4151 (@chappy4151) May 9, 2022

Other comments were of a more sardonic nature.

Travelist, the echo friendly path to launder charity money thru.

— Just a thought! 👇 (@nemisis2all) May 9, 2022

Thank God, The Duke of Cambridge and Future King William is the first born!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/Bcn3qTTuez

— stormy seas (@BillyDouglass7) May 9, 2022

TV talk show host Piers Morgan also slammed Prince Harry as a "terrible actor" and a "hypocrite".

"That's the privacy shy Prince Harry on TV again making his acting debut in a ridiculous New Zealand advert for his eco-friendly non profit. Harry clearly is not just a terrible actor, he's also a terrible hypocrite. A guy who constantly preaches about the environment but uses private jets like I use black cabs. This is like Adele lecturing us about how not to be a diva", he concluded on Piers Morgan Uncensored.

“Harry’s not just a terrible actor. He’s also a terrible hypocrite.“

Piers Morgan responds to Prince Harry's acting debut in a New Zealand advert.@piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #piersmorganuncensored pic.twitter.com/tFfddkfNMg

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) May 9, 2022