In this paper, the cosmopolitan and imperial underpinnings of New Zealand Maori development education during the late colonial period are explored in relation to current development priorities. It is argued that these philosophies rapidly hybridised in order to fit local economic and political conditions and further, that a form of neo-colonialism subsequently emerged that combines neoliberalism with late colonial thinking about indigenous development. The expression of these ideas by contemporary elites has significant implications for future development education initiatives in New Zealand.