Matua Kahurangi

Matua Kahurangi

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Matua Kahurangi
Matua Kahurangi
Tattooing a 13-year-old’s face isn’t culture

Tattooing a 13-year-old’s face isn’t culture

It’s child abuse

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Matua Kahurangi
Jul 07, 2025
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Matua Kahurangi
Matua Kahurangi
Tattooing a 13-year-old’s face isn’t culture
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A 13-year-old girl from Invercargill, a student at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Arowhenua, has just received a moko kauae. For those who don’t know, that’s a traditional facial tattoo worn on the chin of Māori women. It once held deep cultural meaning. It was something earned. Reserved for wāhine of mana: elders, leaders, knowledge holders. Now we’re slappin…

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