I hope the Principal took the opportunity to enforce to the student that Moko are earned by deeds and actions and most certainly are not decoration whether scribbled on with a Marker pen or etched on as is the case with so many Maori these days. Particularly Maori women.
Mrspdm and I had an 80 year old or thereabouts Maori lady as a neighbour and very good friend for a few years and she was adamant on that matter and considered it a lack of respect when she saw young people in particular adorned by unearned Moko.
Here is the Herald story which features the boys mother going `full bore’ against the schools decision and I have no doubt from the tenor of the writing that the Herald is in support of she and her son as well.:
