What Does Tattoo Mean in New Zealand?

Written by : Gabriella Queenina Wijaya

All of us know that in our place, person who has tattoo will get strerotype that they might be criminal. Like in Japan, tattoo is symbol for a member of yakuza group. However in Oceania especially in New Zealand, tattoo has different meaning. New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affair, Nanaia Mahuta has a tattoo on her chin. What is that? Lets talk about it.

The Legend
The tattoo is Ta Moko or known as Maori Tattoo. Legend said that the tattoo was from underworld called Uetonga. There was a young warrior called Mataora, who fell in love with Niwareka, the princess of the underworld. Niwareka came above ground to marry Mataora. However, Mataora mistreated Niwareka, so she returned to the underworld. Feeling so guilty about the way he treated his wife, Mataora pursued her to the underworld and greeted by her relatives who laughed at his ragged appearance and smudged face paint. Mataora apologized before Niwareka’s family, and this act won Niwareka back. Before returning above ground, it was said that Niwareka’s father, the king of the underworld taught Mataora the art of Ta Moko. Mataora brought back these skills to his people and that was how the Maori came to have their distinct type of tattoo.

Drawing Procress
This tatoo is unique because there are no tattoos that look alike, the tatoos are higly intricate and detailed. Most of the tattoo is drawn on the face because for them head is the most sacred of their body, but actually the tattoo can be drawn in the other body’s part and it called Kiri Tuhi. The process of tattooing is using metal as the tool for drawing the tattoo in 1800s after they used bone before and the inks that used by Tohunga, the Maori tattoo artis were made from burnt wood to create black pigments. But in 1900s they started to use needle, usually needle used to make the female chin tattoo like Ms. Nanaia Mahuta’s tattoo or Moko Kauae.

The Patterns and Their Meanings
Ta Moko indicates social status, rank, power, prestige. role, career and expressions of identity. And now lets talk about Main Manawa, the skin looking lines in Moko. Manawa means Heart and represents life, journey and time spent on Earth. Main Korus coming off the Manawa Lines are used represent people and people groups. Korus are based off the tiny new growth shoots on the New Zealand Fern plant and represent New Life and New Beginnings. Every koru added to Manawa line, it means more important people in their life journey. And now lets see Infill Patterns in the tattoo and their meanings :
Pakati
Dog’s skin cloak, representative of warriors/battles/courage and strength.
Hikuaua
Representative of Taranaki (a region of New Zealand) as well as prosperity, mackerel tail.
Unaunahi
Fish scales that represent abundance and health.
Ahu Ahu Mataora
Shows talent and achievement in athleticism or sport and also representative of a new challenge.
Taratarekae
From whale teeth
Manaia
Known as a spiritual guardian, and carrier of supernatural powers. Traditionally depicted as a bird like figure with the head of a bird, body of a man and the tail of a fish it acts as a provider and protector over the sky, earth and sea. Likened to a bird sitting on your shoulder, looking after ones spirit, and guiding the spirit where it is supposed to go when the time comes.
Hei Tiki
Known as a good luck charm, this is also considered a symbol of fertility. Assumed to be clear thinking, perceptive, loyal and knowledgeable, the wearers strength is their character. The tiki is a talisman to the Maori people,the Maori believe the tiki represents the unborn human embryo. The most valuable tiki’s were carved from greenstone and were handed down through generations and treasured possessions.

Well now you know that tattoo can be a sacred culture in somewhere and next time we can talk about another unique culture from another country. E noho rā!!

Refrences :
Maori tattoo: The definitive guide to Ta moko. (2020, July 31). Zealand Tattoo. https://www.zealandtattoo.co.nz/tattoo-styles/maori-tattoo/
Ta moko: Traditional Maori tattoo | 100% pure New Zealand. (2022, August 10). New Zealand Travel and New Zealand Business - The official website for New Zealand. https://www.newzealand.com/sg/feature/ta-moko-maori-tattoo/
Tāmoko | Maori tattoos: History, practice, and meanings. (2020, October 30). Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, NZ. https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/maori/tamoko-maori-tattoos-history-practice-and-meanings