The public are being given a rare opportunity to witness moko kanohi, or traditional Māori facial tattooing – usually performed in private.
Over three days, Wellington’s Te Papa is hosting a celebration of the history and living art of moko kanohi, led by national tā moko collective Te Uhi a Mataora.
On the opening day, 21-year-old Fernleigh Rangihaeata received his moko surrounded by whānau and friends.
“What my moko means to me is the way that I was raised, who I was raised by, which is my kuia. She is the one who gave me these taonga,” he said.
He’s one of 10 people receiving moko kanohi at Te Papa this week.
Tā moko tohunga Sir Derek Lardelli said each design carries deep meaning, in one case telling the story of Paikea, the whale rider.
He said interest in moko has been a resurgence.
“The whole country in terms of Māoridom have taken on this part of the resurgence, and the renaissance is at the high point at the moment.”
The collective of artists has spent the past year studying more than 200 toi moko (ancestral heads) repatriated to Aotearoa from overseas collections, helping them better understand the whakapapa and artistry of tā moko.
“The opportunity to view them and sit with them for periods of time has given us the chance to get a glimpse or window back in time that others haven’t had,” Sir Derek said.
Hinerangi Himiona, a repatriation panel adviser, said the event is also a chance to share what they’ve learned.
“There certainly have been some amazing insights that we look forward to hearing more about in the next few days,” she said.
For whānau like Sarah Brookings-Pakai, who supported a relative receiving moko, it’s about unity.
“Our kaupapa and our journey is not just about those who have gone before us, but those who are coming after us and those who are here now.”
Te Mātātuhi ki Te Papa runs until Wednesday, featuring live moko applications, taonga displays, public kōrero, kapa haka, and a tamariki zone.
