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Story: Ngāti Toarangatira

Moko design

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Moko design

One of Te Rauparaha’s distinguishing features was his incomplete moko (facial tattoo). This close-up of the design shows a section missing at the bottom right.

Using this item

Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: NZC 133, 24(1)

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

Mīria Pōmare, Ngāti Toarangatira – 19th century: rise and fall, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/document/3560/moko-design (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by Mīria Pōmare, published 4 March 2009, updated 1 March 2017.