Kyra Hall
A New Zealand news presenter fired back at a viewer who complained about her Māori face tattoo.
Oriini Kaipara made history in 2021 when she became the first person with a moko kauae to host a primetime news program on national television.
A moko kauae is a facial tattoo traditionally worn by women on the chin or sometimes the chin and lips.
Kaipara was praised for presenting Māori culture when making her debut, however, one viewer repeatedly complained about her facial tattoo.
Having ‘had enough’ of his cruel words, the journalist sensationally responded on social media.
After learning that Kaipara had received complaints about her traditional face tattoo, many people took to social media and leaped to her defense.
“A rich cultural heritage is definitely something to honor, respect, and embrace,” one person penned.
Somebody else said: “It’s beautiful and about time.”
A third social media user commented: “I don’t understand why anyone would have a problem with this.”
“I respect her for getting a tattoo that shows her pride in her heritage,” another added.
Wanting a reminder of Māori culture, Kaipara decided to get the facial tattoo in 2019.
She told CNN: “When I doubt myself, and I see my reflection in the mirror, I’m not just looking at myself.
“I’m looking at my grandmother and my mother, and my daughters, and hers to come after me, as well as all the other women, Māori girls out there and it empowers me.”
Along with her moko kauae, Kaipara often uses Māori phrases during her broadcasts such as ‘E haere ake nei’ (still to come), ‘Ū tonu mai” (stay with us), and ‘Taihoa e haere’ (don’t go just yet).
Ultimately, the news presenter’s goal is to encourage people to speak the Māori language which was ‘beaten out of my grandmother’s generation,’ and reclaim it for the Māori people.
Kaipara added: “We still haven’t addressed a lot of intergenerational traumas and colonization and for Māori, that’s very, very pertinent and poignant as well.
“Not much in terms of race relations here has changed in a very long time.”
At one point, the moko kauae tattoo tradition was almost lost due to colonization, however, there has been a resurgence.
The Guardian reports that it’s become a way for people ‘to reclaim and deeply connect to Māori culture.’
However, one viewer was ‘relentless’ with their complaints.
The complainant, known only as David, wrote to the entire Newshub newsroom, mislabeling Kaipara’s tattoo as a ‘moku’ and describing it as ‘offensive’ and ‘a bad look.’
He also protested against Kaipara’s use of the Māori language, although it features in most New Zealand TV broadcasts.
David wrote: “We continue to object strongly to you using a Māori TV presenter with a moku, which is offensive and aggressive looking. A bad look.
“She also bursts into the Māori language which we do not understand. Stop it now.”
On Instagram, Kaipara shared how she responded to David in an email.
It read: “Thank you for all the complaints against me and my ‘moku.’ I do find them very difficult to take seriously given there is no breach of broadcast standards.
“If I may, I’d like to correct you on one thing – it is moko not moku. A simple, helpful pronunciation guide of ‘Maw-Caw’ will help you articulate the word correctly.
“I gather your complaints stem from a place of preference on how one must look on-screen, according to you.
“Moko and people with them are not threatening nor do they deserve such discrimination, harassment, and prejudice. Moko are ancient cultural markings unique to the indigenous people of Aotearoa, myself included. We mean no harm or ill intent nor do we/I deserve to be treated with such disregard.
“Please refrain from complaining further, and refrain your cultural ignorance and bias for another lifetime, preferably in the 1800s.”
Kaipara signed off the email in te reo Māori, from ‘the lady with the moko kauae who speaks Māori but MOSTLY English on TV.’
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