For some, tattoos are appealing, but a face tattoo often sparks debate.
Oriini Kaipara, 41, made history as a TV personality. She became the first primetime TV news bulletin presenter with a moko kauae, a respected Māori women’s cultural tattoo, when she joined New Zealand’s Newshub as a newsreader.
The moko kauae, a sacred female chin tattoo, shows Māori identity and their political, cultural, social, and spiritual goals. These facial tattoos, on the lips and chin, symbolize family ties, leadership in the community, and honor ancestry and abilities.
A viewer named David emailed Newshub, complaining about Kaipara’s tattoo. “We strongly object to your Māori newsreader with a moku [moko]. It looks offensive and aggressive. It’s a bad look. She also speaks Māori, which we don’t understand. Stop it,” he wrote.
Kaipara responded on Instagram. She said she couldn’t take his remarks seriously as there was no breach of broadcast standards. She corrected his spelling of moko and said, “Your complaints seem to be about how you think people should look on-screen. Moko and those with them aren’t threatening and don’t deserve discrimination, harassment, or prejudice.”
She added, “We don’t mean harm, and we/I don’t deserve such disrespect. Please stop complaining and keep your cultural ignorance and bias in the past, like the 1800s.”
In an interview with New Zealand Herald, she said, “The fact that I bother some people shows why we need more Māori advocates in important jobs everywhere.”
Kaipara’s response shows the importance of cultural pride and strength when facing challenges. She inspires others to embrace their identities and fight discrimination.