Matua Kahurangi: Marise Martin turned moko kauae into a costume

I have said this before, and I will keep saying it. The moko kauae and ta moko (facial tattoos) have lost their meaning.

What was once worn by warriors, rangatira, and people of genuine standing within Māori society has been stripped of its mana and turned into little more than a performative accessory. A shortcut to unearned authority. A visual demand for respect without the substance to back it up. A virtue-signalling barcode.

Take Marise Martin.

Judy Gill: Protecting Kiwi Teens from Irreversible Facial Tattoos

Lede

New Zealand rightly sets 16 as the age of consent for sex and marriage. Yet our law lets a 13-year-old receive a permanent facial tattoo — even on a state-school campus — if a parent agrees. That contradiction puts children in harm’s way medically, socially, and economically.

Matua Kahurangi: Face tattoos and tā moko ain't a free pass

If you think getting a facial tattoo gives you some sort of untouchable street cred, think again. Walking into a pub, club, or any establishment expecting special treatment because of a few lines of ink on your face is laughable. Many people around the world see facial tattoos as intimidating at best, and at worst, an automatic warning sign of gang affiliation or trouble. To be honest, I simply look at them and think, “What an idiot - why would anyone ruin their face like that?”

Geoff Parker: New Zealand is being ruled by fear

Activist agenda driven Maori have virtually taken full control of New Zealand by utilising the vehicle of fear.

New Zealanders are frightened to speak out against this seditionist agenda, on social media, at meetings and/or social gatherings for fear of being labelled ‘racist’ or confrontation. In the case of social media the pack attacks can be very vitriolic.