Caren Fox (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata), a specialist in international human rights law who became chief judge of the Māori Land Court in 2022, wears the moko kauae (chin tattoo) and ngutu pūrua (fully tattooed lips). She acquired her moko in 2007 from the tohunga tā moko (traditional tattoo artist) Derek Lardelli after undertaking a large body of work for the Waitangi Tribunal. Fox said in 2010 that at least 120 women in the East Coast region had received the moko in recent years, indicating a widespread revival of this traditional mark of status.
Using this item
Mana Magazine
Photograph by Gray Clapham
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.
Add new comment