New Zealand's foreign minister gets tattoos

New Zealand's foreign minister follows Maori traditions.

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New Zealand politician, Nanaya Mahuta, made history this week when she was appointed New Zealand's first indigenous foreign minister.

But what is most noticeable to it is that it follows the traditions of the indigenous Maori tribes, who carry the traditional tattoo known as "moku".

In 2016, Mahota became the first female Member of Parliament to wear tattoos on her lips and chin, or Mokuo Kawai.

For this woman, these traditional tattoos represent "a way to express her culture and her pride in being from the Maori tribe," as she tweeted last year.

While tattoos are still a rare sight in national politics, moco tattoos have remained increasingly common in contemporary New Zealand society.

Tattoos often carry great cultural significance for those who wear them, as they tell a visual story that connects indigenous people to their ancestors.

The "Moko" tattoo expresses the social status, job, or personal and family history of the bearer.

The intricate designs also indicate the lineages of their bearers (linking them, in Mahota's case, to the late Maori Queen Te Arikenoi T Aterangikaho and the current Maori king Kenji Tohitia, according to Radio New Zealand).

Markings on the left and right sides of the face indicate paternal and maternal lineage, respectively.

T Kahto Maxwell, assistant professor at the University of Waikato, who is the grandson of the Mokuo tattoo artist, said about 10 years ago tattoos on the face symbolized the "restoration" of heritage.

“It is about my heritage and my place in society as a historian, academic, preacher or spokesperson for my people,” he continued in a phone interview.

It brings me a feeling of pride and a sense of belonging to my people. ”He added,“ It also tells the history of my life. It is something sacred and precious to me. ”

There is a belief that the practice of tattooing - known as Ta Moku - takes its name from “Roamoku,” the Maori deity of earthquakes and volcanoes.

It tells the story of a mythical character, Maturo, who fell in love and married New York, the daughter of the ruler of the underworld.

After striking her in a fit of anger, Maturo follows his wife to the underworld to ask her for forgiveness.

While there, Neurika's father taught him the art of Ta Moku, allowed him to return to the "higher" world, and put tattoos for him as a reminder to avoid future evil deeds.

Tattoos are still a rare sight in national politics. However, "Mokuo" tattoos have been increasingly common in contemporary New Zealand society.

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