Can anyone get a moko Kauae?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 06, 2026
In less than one generation that thinking has been largely discarded, as part of a deliberate “decolonising” of those perceived barriers – and as a result the practice of moko kauae is widespread, with a general consensus that the only eligibility criterion is whakapapa – if you are a Māori woman, you have the right to ...
Who can get moko Kauae?
Moko kauae - are received by women on their lips and chin. A moko kauae represents a woman's whānau and leadership within her community, recognising her whakapapa, status, and abilities. It is a traditional taonga passed down over many generations from the ancestress Niwareka.
Can anyone get a tā moko?
Tattoo Styles
Ta Moko is primarily for those of Maori blood and descent, while Kirituhi is for those of non Maori heritage. Ta Moko and Kirituhi tell a story, the story of the person wearing the tattoo.
Do you have to speak Māori to get a moko Kauae?
Despite the sacred ceremony and the special significance of moko kauae, she said, wahine Māori often received backlash, not just from a racist aspect but from those who claim that you must be able to speak te reo Māori before receiving the moko kauae.
Can a Pākehā get a moko?
"There have been instances in the 1900s where various kuia Pākehā that have lived a predominantly Māori life have been given moko by that Māori community because of their contribution to that community.
24 related questions foundWhat is Māori tattoo?
Tā moko is the permanent marking or "tattoo" as traditionally practised by Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.
Does moko mean child?
1. (noun) grandchild - a term of address used by an older person for a grandchild or a young child. Short for mokopuna.
Who can get a mataora?
If you are considering receiving the facial markings from Turumakina, we ask that you peruse this page to gain an understanding of the protocols and processes one must go through to embark on the journey of mataora/kauae. Mataora & Kauae are reservedly for those of Maori descent only.
Is moko Kauae tapu?
However, not all women of mana acquired moko kauae – sometimes for the very reason that they were considered too tapu to receive one. One of the few recorded examples of such a woman who was deemed too tapu to be tattooed was Mihi Kōtukutuku, a woman of high rank from Te Whānau-a-Apanui and Ngāti Porou.
How much does a Puhoro cost?
Puhoro journey requires a commitment of x5-8 day sessions and is valued at $5000-$8000 depending on your body size, puhoro design and your ability to sit.
What do I need to know before getting a Ta Moko?
You are worth it, your moko is worth it, and my time is worth it.
- Have a good nights sleep the night before. Don't go out. ...
- Eat a good breakfast the morning of your booking. I don't want you getting light headed on me. ...
- Be clear on what you want your moko to represent. Think about. ...
- Think about WHY you want your tā moko.
What does a tattoo on a woman's chin mean?
Kina Sai. For New Zealand Māori women, the moko kauae, or traditional female chin tattoo, is considered a physical manifestation of their true identity. It is believed every Māori woman wears a moko on the inside, close to their heart; when they are ready, the tattoo artist simply brings it out to the surface.
What culture is moko Kauae?
For New Zealand Māori women, the moko kauae, or traditional female chin tattoo, is considered a physical manifestation of their true identity. It is believed every Māori woman wears a moko on the inside, close to their heart; when they are ready, the tattoo artist simply brings it out to the surface.
Who can get a Puhoro?
Traditionally, puhoro was reserved for the warriors and leaders who had acquired speed, agility and swiftness. However the Tohunga Suppression Act and colonial attitudes towards traditional Māori tattoos nearly saw the artform die out before experiencing a renaissance in the 1990s.
Where are Maori people from?
Māori culture is an integral part of life in Aotearoa, New Zealand. For millennia, Māori have been the tangata whenua, the indigenous people of Aotearoa. Arriving here from the Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki over 1000 years ago, the great explorer Kupe, was the first Māori to reach these lands.
Who is mataora?
According to legend, Mataora, a rangatira who lived in Te Ao Tūroa (the natural world), married a tūrehu (spirit) named Niwareka, from Rarohenga (the underworld). One day he struck Niwareka across the face in a rage. She fled back to her homeland, as domestic violence was unheard of in Rarohenga.
What is moko kanohi?
Traditionally men received moko to their faces over several stages until their entire face was covered — Moko Kanohi (literally 'marked face'). For women it was generally restricted to the chin and called Moko Kauae.
How is Ta Moko applied?
It was a huge honour for people to have Ta Moko. Ta Moko was worn by both men and women. It was applied to the face and buttocks of men, and to the chin, lips and shoulders of women. Depending on their ranking, they may also have Ta Moko on their face.
Where is Rarohenga?
The geography of Rarohenga incorporates several different non-physical, immaterial locations that are recorded in myth. There are also several material locations scattered across both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
What does moko Kauae mean?
Moko kauae - are received by women on their lips and chin. A moko kauae represents a woman's whānau and leadership within her community, recognising her whakapapa, status, and abilities. It is a traditional taonga passed down over many generations from the ancestress Niwareka.
What is mataora tattoo?
The designs of Maori male facial tattooing commonly known as Moko, are also referred to as Mataora Moko. Mataora is the Mythical figure attributed with venturing into Rarohenga (the Underworld), bringing back with him knowledge of tattooing.
How do you say bro in Māori?
tungāne. 1. (noun) brother (of a female), male cousin (of a female).
What is tamaiti?
tamaiti (irregular plural tamariki) child.
What does Nga mihi?
congratulations to you ngā mihi.
What do Māori face tattoos mean?
Since the Maori people consider the head to be the most sacred part of the body, the most popular kind of Maori tattoo was the facial tattoo, which was composed of curved shapes and spiral like patterns. Often this tattoo covered the whole face and was a symbol of rank, social status, power and prestige.