48 images Created 6 Aug 2014
Tā moko
Tā moko, the traditional Māori tattooing on the face is a tāonga (treasure) to Māori for which the purpose and applications are sacred.
Every moko contains ancestral/tribal messages specific to the wearer. These messages tell the story of the wearer's family and tribal affiliations, and their place in these social structures.
A moko’s message would also contain the wearer’s ‘value’ by way of their genealogy, and their knowledge and standing in their social level.
Five years in the making: Roger Te Tai's tā moko.
2009: Te Hana. The preparation; Roger and Sally ready themselves for the following day's tattoo, only to find it has been postponed.
2010: Queenstown. The wedding; families come together.
2012: Whangarei. The Tattoo by Dave Hart of Native Ink.
2014: Ohiwa. Home; Roger Te Tai wears the tā moko.
Every moko contains ancestral/tribal messages specific to the wearer. These messages tell the story of the wearer's family and tribal affiliations, and their place in these social structures.
A moko’s message would also contain the wearer’s ‘value’ by way of their genealogy, and their knowledge and standing in their social level.
Five years in the making: Roger Te Tai's tā moko.
2009: Te Hana. The preparation; Roger and Sally ready themselves for the following day's tattoo, only to find it has been postponed.
2010: Queenstown. The wedding; families come together.
2012: Whangarei. The Tattoo by Dave Hart of Native Ink.
2014: Ohiwa. Home; Roger Te Tai wears the tā moko.
