Discover traditional Māori tattoos and the meanings behind the markings.
The centuries old tradition of tā moko (Māori tattooing) is an important and sacred custom. Moko (Māori tattoo) is deeply personal, as the patterns visually represent the bearer’s unique story and ancestry. Today, the practice has evolved to be an expression of cultural pride and identity, often carried out to mark a significant occasion, such as university graduation, milestone birthday or the passing of a family member. One thing that hasn’t changed though, is that to receive tā moko is a great honour.
Moko (Māori tattoo) is worn on the face and the body for both men and women. However, only women will have moko kauae, the tattoos on the lips and chin.
Māori migrated to New Zealand from Eastern Polynesia around 800-1,000 years ago and brought with them the tradition of tattooing. Over time, Māori tā moko (Māori tattooing) evolved very differently from other Polynesian styles and methods. In the Pacific Islands, combs were used to lightly puncture the skin; while Māori used bone chisels to cut deeper into the skin and create grooved scars. They added distinctive spiral motifs that mirrored the shape of koru, a native New Zealand fern, giving their designs a less geometric appearance.
Māori also used different ingredients to make their tattoo ink, such as the soot of the āwheto, a species of caterpillar, that was mixed with water, fish oil, or resin from mahoe (whitey wood) and poroporo (black nightshade). Facial tattooing required a darker ink, so instead of āwheto they used pukepoto, a dark blue clay that gave the ink a blue appearance.
There are several stories that point to the origin of moko (Māori tattoo).
One says that the origin of moko (Māori tattoo) lies with Rūaumoko, the unborn child of Papatūānuku (earth mother). When he turns and kicks inside his mother’s womb, the earth rumbles and shakes leaving ruptures and scars on her abdomen. This is the original moko (Māori tattoo), the lines left on mother earth from Rūaumoko’s restless turns.
Another story tells us that the art of tā moko (Māori tattooing) was brought from the underworld by Mataora, who married a tūrehu (spirit) called Niwareka. She fled to the underworld after a disagreement with Mataora. He followed and was taught tā moko (Māori tattooing) techniques by her father, Uetonga.
Each moko (Māori tattoo) is unique, created to suit the status and character of the person who receives it. Motifs, chosen for their symbolic meanings, tell the story of the person’s ancestry, history, and achievements.
The practise of facial tā moko (Māori tattooing) declined from the mid-19th century after being discouraged by European settlers who considered the practice to be unchristian.
Today, moko (Māori tattoo) is a very visible feature of Māori culture with many Māori, including prominent leaders, politicians, musicians, television presenters and business people, choosing to receive moko kanohi (facial tattoo) and moko kauae (chin tattoo). For Māori today, moko (Māori tattoo) is a visual symbol of cultural pride and commitment to upholding the art forms and customs of the ancestors in a modern world.
The art form is also popular among people of non-Māori ancestry, particularly New Zealanders but also worldwide, including famous actor Jason Momoa and musicians Ben Harper and Robbie Williams.
