A distinguished television presenter, Oriini Kaipara, who proudly wears a traditional Māori face tattoo, has gracefully responded to a viewer’s unkind comments, reaffirming her deep connection to her cultural heritage and identity.
Facial tattoos often spark discussions online. While some believe tattoos should be limited to the body, others recognize the cultural significance and stories behind them.
At 41, Oriini Kaipara made history by becoming the first primetime TV newsreader with a moko kauae at New Zealand’s Newshub. This revered cultural marking is traditionally worn by Māori women and holds profound meaning.
The Māori, indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, honor moko kauae as symbols of their heritage and identity. These facial tattoos, typically gracing the lips and chins, represent a woman’s family ties, leadership, and respect for her lineage, status, and capabilities.
Despite receiving accolades, one viewer named David expressed his disapproval in an email to Newshub.
David criticized Kaipara’s moko kauae, calling it “offensive and aggressive looking.” He also complained about her speaking in the Māori language, which he did not understand, and concluded with, “Stop it now.”
Kaipara, unshaken by the negative remarks, chose to address the issue directly. She shared screenshots of the messages on her Instagram story, responding with dignity and grace.
“Today I had enough. I responded. I never do that. I broke my own code and hit the send button,” she wrote on an Instagram story featuring a screenshot of David’s message.
In her email to David, Kaipara pointed out that his complaint didn’t break any broadcast standards. She also corrected his spelling, as he had incorrectly referred to her moko as “moku”.
“Your complaints seem to come from personal preferences on how one must look on screen. Moko and people with them are not threatening nor do they deserve such discrimination, harassment, and prejudice,” she wrote.
“We mean no harm or ill intent nor do we/I deserve to be treated with such disregard,” Kaipara continued. “Please refrain from further complaints, and save your cultural ignorance and bias for another time, preferably the 1800s.”
Despite the harsh criticism, Kaipara noted that she predominantly receives positive comments, with cruel trolls being rare.
In an interview with the New Zealand Herald, following her response to David, Kaipara emphasized the need for more Māori advocates: “The fact that my presence triggers some people shows why we need more Māori advocates in key roles across every sector.”
Ultimately, Kaipara’s poised response emphasizes the importance of cultural pride and resilience in the face of adversity. She inspires others to embrace their identities with confidence and to challenge discriminative attitudes.
