New Zealand Moari Tattoo

does ne one know how to design a moko? ne feedback would be much apprieciated mitch

Hi Mitch I live in NZ (Although I am not a Maori) The moko is a facial tattoo which Maori people put a great deal of thought into. Every detail/swirl/line shows something about your personal heritage. For instance a spiral on the side of your nostril means you are the tribal Chief's personal whore! (if you're female that is!). You could go out and get a picture from a book to copy, but it may lack the personal meaning, as well as some weird looks from Maori people too. Check out some New Zealand websites.

Kia ora mitch, Although i too am not a maori i have learnt a lot about the maori culture through my fiance who is a moari his whanau and through studying and learning the culture and language.The moko is a-iwi facial tattoo that is designed differently for each iwi. It was placed on men and woman of the iwi, the male moko is designed according to age and heroism meaning different stages of your life as a warrior for your iwi each stage your moko was added onto. It has alot of a-iwi,cultural (ancestral) meaning. To recieve your moko is a highly respected gift for each man who have their moko done to show their bravery and place in the iwi.To truly understand and respect the true cultural meaning behind the moko if you desire to have it done,you will have to firstly study and learn the history of the maori culture and the ways of the old and the ways of your whanau iwi and the moko of your whakapapa that have been done in your whanau iwi so you can have the right level of understanding and respect for yourself, your whakapapa and your iwi and so you can pass on your knowledge to future generations to follow to keep the culture alive. Then it is a matter of proving yourself to your tribal elders or asking permission from them to have a proper moko done and to show them you a worthy to wear your moko proudly so as not to offend or disrespect your iwi elders. It is said to be quiet a painful process to recieve a moko. Nowadays it can be done by the new methods of a tattoo gun but the tradional method of having your moko is by having a sharpened piece of greenstone that pierces your skin then the ink is applied.Please don't just pick out a picture from a book or the internet to have done for your moko,it just wouldn't be right. Tangata i akona ki te kainga, tunga ki te marae, tau ana. (A person trained at home will stand on the marae with dignity.) Poroporoaki mitch.

Mitch, I was born in NZ and moved here 30 years ago. I am half Maori and I get my tatties when I'm in NZ. My husband got an identical of a small Maori design I have in Canada but trying to keep my iwi true I will only get a moko by a Maori in NZ. All the info you have gotten is too true and believe it man. It gives me great pride to know I have done what it right with my designs and they do represent me and my whanau. Good luck on your travels. It will be worth it.

i had posted this before, under 'polynesian tattoo meanings' and basically it has been said by "petera": be careful with what you choose. some designs have special meanings belonging to the tribe, were the carrier has had to accomplish something to deserve that tattoo! like kill a lion with their bare hands or something.. please respect their culture and art and DON'T get something you don't deserve!! if you like a particular design, just change it up a bit.. there are many designs with no meaning or a lesser meaning which you could get, please keep this in mind.. if you ever go over to their country, these people will respect you, instead of kill you ;)

Kia-ora-I`m a proud maori who was born in N.Z.First of all there called Tamoko(maori tattoo).Both my parents are maori,normally you take on your father`s iwi(tribe).I came from 4 different tribes and i know where and what designs i can have.This gets passed down from generation to generation.Normally different tribes(iwi) have there own carving,tamoko`s ect.I am currently doin tamoko`s and meaning,You shouldn`t really get a tamoko(maori tattoo) from just any (tattooist)especially from a pakeha(white person) this can bring tapo(taboo,bad spirits),And wrong meaning thats called (utu),in the old days if u got (utu) tattooed on you that would mean death. So just remember before getting a "TAMOKO"a lot of Moari history is envolved and make sure you know what your getting-THIS AIN~T KNOW FASHION STATEMENT,otherwise you can bring great shame to Kaumatua(Elders).

i understand that there is "kirituhi" and "ta moko", contemporary and traditional? there is a lively / abusive debate on another thread about this, whether a non-maori can have kirituhi, or anything maori on their person. but i understand from a maori tattooist that it is OK for a non-maori to have a kirituhi but not a ta moko. since the latter involved identifications of tribes and lineages. and if you do not belong to that cultural system wearing someone else's ancestral symbols is just strange not to mention inappropriate. also, i believe for this reason we should ask a maori tattoo artist to design ours since knowing the tradition, they will know what is appropriate for a non-maori person. kia ora.

kia ora,ko pikiteora taku ingoa.I'm asking if there is anyone out there that would complete my ta moko.I would like it coloured.It's on my shoulder and it represents my daughters and moko's. I cant find the dude that did it. All i want is for it to be coloured. Red and green.To me it's not completed it feels empty, but they are my thoughts.I will be happy if someone will do it for me,moari that is. I'm not sure wot other moari tattooist think about doing other peoples work. But i wear it and i dont mind.I live in aussie brisbane. If you can help me find someone in my area kia ora.my email is [email removed]

your artist mite not knowingly put the mark of a slave on you , too many people are getting moko for the wrong reasons, because its the fasion and because there is such a demand for it there are alot of amiture ta moko artist putting any old mark on people not realy knowing what it is their tattooing, I saw a tattoo magazine once that showed an american man with a womans tattoo on his chin. I hope he comes to nz one day so everyone here can call him a bitch. i dont believe in kirituhi

2DAMAX There aer two guys in brizzy that i know but not sure how to get in touch with them, their names are russel wilson and leon perry aka otara both have studios in brisbane, somewhere

Try this Studio and Artist, they are Licensed and Health Department Approved, you can see some of his work on his Bebo page. Vince Rangi TAKU MOKO-MAORI INK Shop 3 32 Loganlea Rd Waterford West Qld Ph 07 3805 5653 Good Luck