Moko Kauae draws on whakapapa, iwi hapu¯ and historical ties of 12 wahine
The moko kauae is a proud respresentation of hapu¯, iwi, whakapapa and historical ties. At one stage, you only saw the traditional Ma¯ori chin tattoo on older women on pictures on walls in marae. This etched into one’s mind that only the elderly were given this beautiful opportunity. However, many of those grandmothers received their moko kauae as young women as a sign of dignity and mana.
Nowadays as te reo Ma¯ori, tikanga and kawa is being revitalised, wahine are proudly choosing to get their moko kauae and express their mana. For many it is a special gift of acknowledgement of the past, the present and the future, connecting all generations embraced through a weave of whakapapa in the person receiving the moko kauae. It is about starting a new journey and building on their self worth, identity and purpose.
Last October, 12 wahine from Nga¯ti Pahauwera received their moko kauae on the same day and they want to share their unique journey with others, also to acknowledge what took place and those responsible, and to share and inspire others who may be interested in receiving their moko kauae in the future.
What started as an inquiry, inspired cousins Tina Talaic and Niata Rose-Hollis to pursue a post on their Waipapa-a-Iwi Marae Facebook page, which ended with at least 20 interested wahine, lots of dialogue, zui (Zoom hui), family discussions, personal discovery, informative sessions and eventually commitment from 12 family members to get their moko kauae.
Pere sisters Lara, Paula, Karroll and Renee, received their moko kauae together.
“When my sister approached me, at first I was in two minds because I’m not fluent in te reo Ma¯ori, but after talking to my three older sisters, I decided I wanted my moko kaue,” Karroll Pere said.
“I had been thinking about it for some time. The idea and thought of it would randomly pop up in my mind. I needed to speak to my wha¯nau first and once that was completed, I thought yes, I'm ready and my journey began,” said Lizzy Keenan.
“When I eventually made my decision, the excitement and significance of such an auspicious occasion became obvious to me and to be afforded this opportunity with my teina and eight other wahine to receive our moko kauae together was a tohu,” Lara Pere said.
“I had been thinking about receiving mine for a few years, I had many conversations with wha¯nau members asking their views as my mother passed away in 2013,” Arohanui-o-Rangi Martin said.
Tattoo artist Cody Hollis messaged Martin and as time went on, she noticed more people were asking the same questions.
“I would always tag Cody in. Niata, Tina and Cody began a chat and they got things rolling to create and open the mokopapa to all wahine of Ngati Pa¯hauwera. When my family showed interest I knew it was my time. I had always wanted to receive mine at my marae surrounded by my own wha¯nau.”
When asked what the turning point was for these women to take this step, they responded similarly that it was a spiritual connection and reclamation of their mana tuku iho as a wa¯hine Ma¯ori.
“I have been on my own reo Ma¯ori and Te Taha Ma¯ori journey for 10-plus years,” Rene Peree said. “The significance for myself as a daughter, sister and a mother to normalise this beautiful taonga for my son and our uri whakaheke. Also to assist in the breaking of colonised chains that steer our people away from the truth – Ma¯ ma¯tou katoa te iwi Ma¯ori te moko kanohi.
“I have felt the need and want to carry moko kauae. I have always been drawn to moko kauae, I had never shared with my whanau that this is what I have wanted until now. I am not fluent in the reo, but I feel that I am a Ma¯ori wahine and I have the right to wear this beautiful taonga,” Lizzie Keenan said.
“Growing up with my Ma¯ma¯ wearing moko kauwae, I felt an affinity towards one day receiving mine too. I believe this is a beautiful way for us as Ma¯ori to reclaim our ancient ways and it’s an answer to the colonial oppression we as Ma¯ori have suffered. It’s a statement — koutou — we are still here and we’re not going anywhere,” Tina Talaic said.
“I have mostly been connected to my Ma¯ori side through performing arts — kapa haka, but have recently started my reo journey and through this it has bought me to a place where I believe that with getting my kauae that I will not only be reclaiming my Ma¯ori identity, but will also be normalising this taonga for all my wha¯nau and those who I encounter on a daily basis,”
I was in two minds because I’m not fluent in Te Reo Ma¯ori, but ... I decided I wanted my moko kaue.
Karroll Pere
Karroll Pere said.
“This opportunity was divine timing for me and a calling in itself to begin my new awakened journey in fulfilling my purpose and destiny and first and foremost finding my identity my roots. Where I come from and belong, and wearing my culture with mana and pride and standing proud as a Ma¯ori wahine,” Paula Pere said.
“I had pondered the scenario if I would, could or even should receive a moko kauae and when our mum [died], I immersed myself in my studies of Kaitiakitanga and discovered so much about the sacred art of moko kauae and its strict tapu and spiritual protocols, that moko kauae is a rite of passage for wahine Ma¯ori and has been gifted to us by our tu¯puna. A series of events led me to a turning point to trust in my knowing that to receive my moko kauae is part of my life’s purpose, which has been handed down to me,” Lara Pere said.
“Turning 60 was the turning point for me and reconnecting to Nga¯ti Pahauwera was an important element of that decision. Originally I was working on my te reo Ma¯ori, but I realised that it’s a long journey and I would never feel good enough if it was based on my ability to speak te reo. The time was now,” Debbie Davis said.
“The turning point for myself was over the last two years discovering ‘Ko Wai Au’ Who I Am,” Renee Sopharux said.
On October 10, 2020, Renee Pere, Lara Pere, Paula Pere, Karroll Pere, Arohanui o Rangi Martin, Tina Talaic, Niata-Rose Hollis, Eve Hollis, Deb Tuhi, Renee Sopharux, Debbie Davis and Lizzy David Keenan met at the Mohaka Awa for a dawn pu¯re or cleansing ritual that would help them enter their commitment to a new journey with moko kauae. Karakia was offered. They were joined at Waipapa A Iwi marae by their wha¯nau and the wider hapu¯ and the prestigious leaders or tohunga of the hapu¯ were present to celebrate as these wahine resurged their commitment to Te Ao Ma¯ori as each received their moko kauae.
“It was such a beautiful day for us wa¯hine as wha¯nau sang waiata that seemed to help us all feel the wairua of our ancestors there with us on the day,” Tina Talaic said. “It was much more than we could have imagined ourselves. The wairua was so strong. We came to reclaim and revive this taonga for ourselves.”
Tattoo artists Cody Hollis and Ta¯manuhiri Russell did a wonderful job. Each of the wahine were emotional and overwhelmed with the outcome of the day.
Life goes on after receiving your moko kauae and when we asked the wahine what has changed for them, the answer was, “Nothing, but everything”. Words that were used to describe how they feel include: “Proud to be wahine Ma¯ori, more confident, reborn, a deeper connection to my marae and hapu¯, very blessed, empowered, connected, hungry for knowledge, stronger, honoured, privileged, unified, able to let go of childhood trauma, surrounded with love, safely surrounded by my tipuna, more conscious and aware”.
“My sense of self love has grown to a place of balance and harmony,” Renee Pere said.
“I feel so deeply rooted and grounded in my identity as a wahine Ma¯ori of Kahungunu descent, through the experience of going home to receive moko kauae inside my whare tu¯puna, surrounded by the aroha of my wha¯nau, hapu¯, iwi. It’s magical. I’m a better person from this wonderful experience,” Tina Talaic said.
“I feel renewed, revamped and rewilded like I have been reawakened and revitalised like a new beginning of a new journey for me and my life good change positivity love and light,” Paula Pere said.
“I feel complete and much lighter like my past trauma has been lifted and I can move forward in my life with determination,” Karroll Pere said.
“I am clear and firm in my positioning that to be self-determining in reclaiming and carrying my moko kauae is an outward declaration of my mana wahine and my whakapapa manifested visually for all to see. Outwardly is the majesty, beauty, strength and pride of my Tu¯puna that I will carry forever more as a proud wahine Ma¯ori. Inwardly there has definitely been a significant shift where I feel illuminated from the inside out,” Lara Pere said.
“I feel like I have chosen a world — and now the challenge is to reduce the impact of that ‘other world’ that comes with all its values,” Debbie Davis said.
“I felt love for the first time after receiving my kauae,” Renee Sopharux said.
When asked what they will do differently now that they have their moko kauae, each of them shared their obligation and commitment to be strong wahine for their wha¯nau, hapu¯, iwi.
For those of you who are interested in moko kauae, it’s a very personal choice. Whatever motivates you, inspires you, impresses you, or forces you to look into getting a moko kauae is purely up to you.
Another Mokopapa Wa¯nanga has been planned at Mohaka marae at the end of 2021 and these wa¯nanga will be held biannually from there on. For more information contact the Mohaka Waipapa A Iwi Marae Facebook page.