A New Zealand news presenter fired back at a viewer who complained about her Māori face tattoo.
Oriini Kaipara made headlines in 2021 when she shattered barriers as the first person with a moko kauae—a traditional Māori chin tattoo—to anchor a primetime national news broadcast.
The moko kauae, an important cultural symbol worn by Māori women on the chin or extending to the lips, represents genealogy, identity, and strength. Kaipara’s powerful presence on-screen was widely celebrated as a bold affirmation of Māori heritage and a historic moment for representation in media.
But not everyone welcomed the change. One persistent critic targeted Kaipara’s tattoo with repeated complaints. Eventually, after enduring enough of his relentless remarks, the journalist fired back with a bold and unapologetic response on social media—earning widespread support and praise for standing her ground.
Upon hearing about the complaints directed at Kaipara’s traditional moko kauae, a wave of support flooded social media, with many rushing to her defense.
“One’s cultural heritage is a treasure to be honored, respected, and embraced,” wrote one user, while another boldly proclaimed, “It’s stunning—and long overdue.”
A third commenter simply stated, “I don’t get why anyone would have a problem with this.”
“I admire her for proudly wearing a tattoo that reflects her deep connection to her heritage,” another user shared, celebrating Kaipara’s unshakable pride.
In 2019, seeking a deeper connection to her Māori roots, Kaipara decided to honor her heritage by getting a moko kauae. Reflecting on the significance of her tattoo, she shared with CNN:
“When I doubt myself, and I look in the mirror, I’m not just seeing my reflection. I’m seeing my grandmother, my mother, my daughters—and the generations that will come after me. I also see all the other Māori women and girls, and it empowers me.”
Beyond the tattoo, Kaipara has made a point of incorporating Māori phrases into her broadcasts, using expressions like “E haere ake nei” (still to come), “Ū tonu mai” (stay with us), and “Taihoa e haere” (don’t go just yet). Her ultimate goal is to inspire others to speak the Māori language, which, as she notes, was “beaten out of my grandmother’s generation,” and reclaim it as a powerful tool for Māori empowerment.
Kaipara also reflected on the broader cultural significance, saying:
“We still haven’t fully addressed the intergenerational trauma and colonization, and for Māori, that’s something deeply relevant and emotionally charged.”
She added, “Not much has changed in terms of race relations here for a very long time.”
The moko kauae, nearly lost during the era of colonization, has seen a powerful resurgence in recent years. As The Guardian reports, it has become a vital means for many to “reclaim and forge a profound connection to Māori culture.”
In an interview with The New Zealand Herald, Kaipara revealed that while many viewers send her “lovely and thoughtful” messages, one particular viewer’s complaints were relentless.
A man named David sent a series of emails to the entire Newshub newsroom, incorrectly labeling Kaipara’s tattoo as a “moku” and calling it “offensive” and “a bad look.” He also took issue with Kaipara’s use of the Māori language, despite it being a common feature in many New Zealand TV broadcasts.
David wrote: “We continue to object strongly to you using a Māori TV presenter with a moku, which is offensive and aggressive-looking. A bad look. She also bursts into the Māori language, which we do not understand. Stop it now.”
On Instagram, Kaipara shared the email she sent in response to David’s complaints:
“Thank you for all the complaints about me and my ‘moku.’ I find them hard to take seriously, especially since there’s no breach of broadcast standards.
“If I may, I’d like to correct you on one thing—it’s moko, not moku. A simple pronunciation guide of ‘Maw-Caw’ should help you articulate the word correctly.
“I gather your complaints stem from your personal preference for how people should look on screen, according to your standards.
“Moko and those who wear them are not threatening, nor do they deserve discrimination, harassment, or prejudice. Moko are ancient cultural markings unique to the indigenous people of Aotearoa, myself included. We mean no harm or ill intent and do not deserve to be treated with such disregard.
“Please refrain from complaining further, and perhaps leave your cultural ignorance and bias behind in another era—preferably the 1800s.”
Kaipara ended the email with a touch of humor and pride, signing off in te reo Māori: “The lady with the moko kauae who speaks Māori but MOSTLY English on TV.”
