A TV host with a traditional Māori face tattoo reacted politely to mean comments from a viewer, expressing pride in her cultural background and identity.
People who have facial tattoos often start arguments online. Some say that tattoos should only be on the body, while others love the cultural meaning behind them.
Oriini Kaipara, 41, is a visionary TV host who made history when she became the first newsreader on New Zealand’s Newshub during prime time. She did this while wearing a moko kauae, a traditional Māori headdress.
The Māori, who are the native Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand, see moko kauae as very important parts of their history and sense of who they are. These tattoos, which are usually put on the lips and chins, show that a woman is a leader in her community and has family ties. They also honor her lineage, status, and skills.
In spite of the praise, one watcher, David, told Newshub in an email that he wasn’t happy with Kaipara’s moko kauae.
“We continue to object strongly to you using a Māori newsreader with a moku [moko] which is offensive and aggressive looking,” he wrote, per the Daily Mail. “A bad look. She also bursts into the Māori language which we do not understand. Stop it now.”
David’s mean comments didn’t stop Kaipara from facing the problem head-on. She shared photos of the messages on her Instagram story and responded with grace and respect.
“Today I had enough. I responded. I never do that. I broke my own code and hit the send button,” she wrote on her Instagram story, adding a picture of David’s message.
Kaipara also sent David an email in which she told him that she couldn’t take his complaint seriously because “there is no breach of broadcast standards.”
Another thing she did was fix his spelling of moko because David had called hers “moku.”
In the next part of her email, Kaipara said, “I gather your complaints stem from a place of preference on how one must look on-screen according to you. Moko and people with them are not threatening nor do they deserve such discrimination, harassment and prejudice.
“We mean no harm or ill intent nor do we/I deserve to be treated with such disregard,” she continued. “Please refrain from complaining further, and restrain your cultural ignorance and bias for another lifetime, preferably in the 1800s.”
Kaipara was quick to point out that most of the comments she gets are positive and that mean people who are just trying to bother her are very rare.
Soon after responding to David’s complaint, Kaipara talked to the New Zealand Herald about how important it is to have more Māori advocates: “The fact that my existence triggers some people is testament to why we need more Māori advocates in key roles across every sector.”
Overall, Kaipara’s respectful answer is a strong reminder of how important cultural pride and strength in the face of hardship are. She is also an inspiration to others to be proud of who they are and stand up to discriminatory views.