A moko artist says a current occasion of a wahine being insulted for sporting moko kauae in Havelock North may function a “studying level”.
Joni Brooking and Raina Ferris appeared on Breakfast after mom of 4 Jay Scott (Ngāpuhi), was requested to go away a park in Havelock North by two girls final Wednesday as a result of it was claimed her moko kauae (conventional tattoo) was scaring kids.
Scott informed NZ Herald that the ladies had seen a brown girl with a facial tattoo, “and verbally strengthened a destructive stereotype. That is racism.”
Brooking, a moko artist mentioned there was lots of stigma and false impression round moko.
“Immediately the thought goes to ‘oh, they have to be gang affiliated’. No disrespect or offence to you already know, our whānau within the gangs however I can let you know now, my three-four yr outdated, she will inform the distinction between moko kauae and only a regular tattoo.
Brooking additionally spoke of moko kauae and its cultural significance to Māori.
“It is nothing new, it is in our historical past, it is in our blood, and it is crucial to us as tangata whenua and tangata taketake o tēnei o ngā whenua o Aotearoa.
“So the importance, the significance and the relevance is extra than simply pores and skin artwork.”
Brooking mentioned she struggled to grasp why folks could not differentiate between tattoo and moko kanohi (conventional Māori face tattoo) or moko kauae.
“There’s a large distinction,” Brooking mentioned.
Ferris, a wahine that wears moko kauae, mentioned it was being revitalised, and it was a proper of passage for wahine Māori.
“It is actually soul enhancing moko kauae is on a revitalisation, we’re reclaiming our delivery proper.
“Once you get your moko kauae executed, it is an expression of you eager to make change in your life, you shifting into one other chapter of your life.”
Brooking hoped the Havelock North incident would not discourage wāhine, “however to let or not it’s a studying level for each one in all us and to present you that power and braveness to take the journey if that is what you are planning on doing.”
“When you lack the schooling, I counsel you go and discover it,” she mentioned.
“Let’s not be oppressed no extra or now not by incidents like this and kia kaha tātou.”
