Name: New Zealands Maori women re-embrace ancestral chin tattoo tradition
Uploaded: 2025-12-25T16:12:06.079Z
Duration: 5 min 43 s
Description: More and more Maori women are reviving the traditional Moko Kauae chin tattoo, reclaiming a symbol of indigenous identity and self-determination.

More and more Maori women are reviving the traditional Moko Kauae chin tattoo, reclaiming a symbol of indigenous identity and self-determination.

Auckland

Maori women in New Zealand are reclaiming the ancestral tradition of the moko kauae, a chin tattoo that symbolizes cultural identity and heritage. Once banned under colonial rule, the practice is experiencing a resurgence, with women like Tracey Carlton and public figures such as Jenny May Clarkson proudly wearing the tattoo as an act of cultural reclamation and empowerment.

The revival is supported by both community leaders and artists, and has been further encouraged by the crowning of a new Maori Queen in 2024. The moko kauae is seen not only as a personal statement but also as a collective act of solidarity, strengthening the visibility and position of Maori women in society.

New Zealand's Maori women re-embrace ancestral chin tattoo tradition

Early morning on a very special day for Tracey Carlton. By the end of it, she will no longer look the same. In a few hours, she'll receive a traditional chin tattoo. She calls to her ancestors and the gods in preparation. Tracey Carlton is Maori. Her ancestors were the first people to inhabit New Zealand. Today I receive my moko kawai, translated from my heart that I was born with, on my heart when I was born, and translated onto my chin. This is a very symbolic moment for me, a life-transforming moment for me. It is a huge responsibility for wahine in our culture to receive and to own and wear a moko kawai proudly. It is a reclamation of my culture, of who I am as an indigenous wahine. She lives here in Mount Maunganui. 20% of New Zealand's population is of Maori descent. The chin tattoo is traditionally reserved for women. It's now becoming more prevalent again, even on TV. Until a few weeks ago, Jenny May Clarkson presented The Breakfast television show. She decided to get a chin tattoo in 2024. It was about me reclaiming my identity, being comfortable with who I am. And then the second part of that is obviously being on television. It was an opportunity to normalise moko kawai for everyone. Her decision prompted mixed reactions. Her friends, family, colleagues and bosses were supportive, but some viewers were less impressed. I love the fact that you do actually get to... Inevitably it was the pushback that you expected, comments, different comments from people which still come now. For me that's not really the focus and that's not the kind of space that I want to give my energy. But I know it's there and it's there on a daily, not only through the emails that we receive here at TVNZ, but also on social media as well. That's not my problem, that's their problem. Just a few decades ago, traditional body tattoos were still widely disapproved of, even banned, a result of suppressive laws passed by Christian colonists. Even though many steps towards reconciliation have since been taken, indigenous people still have to fight for recognition of their culture. It's time for Tracey to get her tattoo. She calls herself an urban Maori. The studio is calm, but she's still a little nervous because she doesn't yet know how it will look. Julie Palmer-Pengele specialises in traditional chin tattoos and creates the highly symbolic designs herself. Tracey's tattoo will make her heritage visible. To wear it is an act of bravery. The more it happens, the more people line up to follow course. And you know, that's an act of solidarity as well. You know that when you wear this, you're not wearing it for you alone. That requires, you know, an acknowledgement of responsibility. Which, she says, strengthens the position of women in society. Demand for the tattoos is high, thanks partly to the new Queen of the Maori, crowned in 2024. As an important representative of the Maori people and culture, she serves as a role model for many indigenous women, including these young tattoo artists. They meet in this studio in Auckland to exchange ideas. Trained in the traditional art of tattooing, they understand the deeper significance of the moko kawai. It's far from mere decoration. For me it was important to show my children to be strong and confident in who you are as a wahine Maori, as a Maori, no matter where you are in the world. So yeah, that was a big drive for me. Yeah, that was one of the biggest drives. Back to Tracey. The transformation has taken an hour and a half. Now it's time to take a look. The straight and curved lines on her chin represent Tracey's ancestry, the connection to her family. Incredible. It's who I really am. It's always been me. It's always been there. Wow. Wow. Forehead and nose pressed together, a hongi to conclude this Maori ceremony and welcome the new Tracey, proud bearer of a moko kawai. Wow. Wow.

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