We asked people: Can you wear moko if you don’t whakapapa Māori?

It’s a question that has sparked much conversation throughout the years: Is it appropriate for non-Māori to wear moko?

Ohinga went to Toi Kiri: World Indigenous Tattoo Culture Festival to ask moko enthusiasts what they think on the topic.

This is part of our reo Māori series, Ohinga, created by Mahi Tahi Media, with funding from Te Māngai Pāho and the NZ on Air Public Interest Journalism Fund.

Stay tuned for a new episode every week.

[vtrikebyers]

My friend who is pakeha has a full face moko. The Maori elders approached him and asked if he would accept a moko for all the work he does in the community. It took a few months of meetings with the elders and the tattoo guy. He had to tell them his history so they can design his story into a moko. Strange thing is alot of Maori hate on him because they have not been blessed by the elders for their Mokos

[mixmmick]

It's always a tough one, after my mum died (mum was maori) my siblings and I all got tattoos to honour her and our culture. Only my sister and I have maori blood (italian father), my 3 older half brothers don't (ethnically they pretty much pure blood italian), but they had a really strong connection and love for our mum. so much so that when we went to the tohunga ta moko the guy and his wife broke into tears and embraced us when we spoke about it (this only few days after we laid mum to rest, things were still very raw). My brothers didnt get moko though, they got kirituhi. Though my older brother Jim said he once had some young sjw say to him once that it was cultural appropriation, fortunately he has no issues with telling morons to take a hike.

My sister got her moko a few months after mum died, she's been active in the maori community where she lives for decades (my sister moved to NZ in 1993, from Aust originally) and works a lot with kids (shes a social worker). The way my brother in law (who is 100% maori) explained it to me was that in our family after mum died my sister is essentially became the matriarch (he used a maori word but I don't remember what it was), the moko represents her role as a leader. I can understand why a non maori shouldn't have them, theyre not there for giggles or vanity, they're a mark of honour and gift passed down from our ancestors.

[ywekdjv]

I'm white af but my mums side of the family is Ngai Tuhoe. My Poppa blessed my greenstone for me and I cherish it and the maori history of the family he taught us and passed down.

Little nevous to get a ta moko on my arm because I'm white and don't look maori when I kinda am. It's something I really want since my poppa died of cancer to carry on his part of the family and something I'm proud of. Just worried I'll get hassled or looked at weird for not looking Maori.

[Hapistudios]

As someone born seeing I can tell you that I have seen Moko Kowai on wahine who have no tattoos on their face. I wish I could describe it because the ink tattoo does not do justice to the colors and patterns I have seen only to realise it is made manifest only by wairua. I have only ever once told the person what I saw and she smiled and cried and told me she had been thinking about if she needed to get one. After our Korero I explained if she wanted one or not didn't matter because it was already there and so it exists. What I can say is that many people carry moko that cannot be seen by the physical eyes. I cannot say if this is why my ancestors began to mark faces but it might explain why they may have decided to do it. I wonder if it is something that one brings with them from the spirit world to this.

[jashknap]

People should do whatever they want no matter how stupid it looks.

[FoxhoundA]

Te Rarawa
Te Aupouri on my Mums side...

Te Arawa on my Dads side...

I'd personally be stoked to see others from different cultures embracing our art and getting Ta Moko...

I reckon it would be cool.

[zanderz-dqio]

Kia Ora!
Quick question
Although there seemed to be both sides on weather non Māori should get moko, am I correct to understand that kirituhi is a separate thing and generally speaking that would be acceptable? Just a genuine question from a non Māori who loves and would like to learn more about Māori culture!
Cheers!

[damolux]

Of course, same as how a Maori can wear a cowboy hat in parliament.

[BMass]

I can’t tell anyone else what to do but I am not Māori and I wouldn’t think of it. The Māori traditions and culture are so beautiful but They are not my to take part it. I can appreciate their beauty and rich traditions while still being respectful.

[Abdul_Rahman]

This is extremely simplified. Imagine you get tattoos of a regiment or a military unit that you’re not affiliated with!
This is almost the same but much deeper.

[Frank-rxch]

No Tuhoe ahau, no te wharuarua O Ruatoki. Some of my tipuna had their moko done, I wear mine on my heart and speak it through my reo that's been passed down .

[TeamMemberNumberEight]

Pākehā with no ink here, so take my opinion as you like lol. As I understand it, the moko is meant to tell your story all the way back to your ancestors and it is chosen and designed for you by others. As long as you honour and respect that tradition then fair enough, though it’s a bit easier if you have at least a little Māori in you. I like what the guy said about leaving it off your face if you’re just going for aesthetics, that seems the fairest way to go

[JensGraikowski]

I respect EVERY culture and I'm very much in favour of keeping traditions alive. I'm German but I have a half sleeve on my right forearm in the style of Maori tattoos but incorporating symbols from cultures all over the world. I love the art (to me Polinesian styles are the most beautiful in the tattoo world), but I want to express my desire to be multi-culti, respecting ALL cultures and traditions. 🙏🏼😎

[Hellbillyhok]

Great to see mokko, i lived in gisborne for a year in the 90's, i mostly stayed with a maori whano and it was one of the best years of my life, im a heavily tattooed Scotsman and i think mokko should be worn by only maori, its their thing, i loved seein the boys with their long dreds and tattooed faces, very cool, che bros

[_.Marz._]

I always thought moko was about whakapapa so with that said...No

[T-rilla]

I’ll be honest I am a samoan and I want to say that I think it’s DISRESPECTFUL to our Māori family to get that if you are not of Māori decent, that goes for whatever reason. Just like if a Asian wants to get a pe’a, just because you think it’s cool is not good enough, this is all about respecting your ancestors and what they have been able to gift to their rightful people ❤️❤️

[retromeatball]

i absolutely love culture tattoos and have Polynesian tribal on my arms and legs but these are thing the artist put together that didnt mean anything to me only looks cool. So i decided i needed one that was actually meaningful to me so i went to Hawaii and had an interview with Keone Nunes ( traditional hawaiian tap tattoo artist) and he blessed me with agreeing and tattooing me with a one of a kind personal tattoo that actually has meaning..greatest experience i have ever had

[visionkrewmusik]

Yes our markings should be respected spiritually and physically no matter the blood. But alot of people from different areas would disagree as different tribes have different rules

[shoutatthesky]

I agree ta moko is for Māori alone. Consider this though - I am pakeha and can trace my ancestry in New Zealand back to the mid 1800s. My adoptive son is Māori (Ngāti Porou) and Tongan. How do I as a pakeha with a very average knowledge of Te ao Māori bring him up with the knowledge and appreciation of his Māori heritage?

[kamatae]

There's some great Celtic artwork that make great tattoos for pakeha.