Story: Tā moko – Māori tattooing

Tattooed university graduate, 1997

Tattooed university graduate, 1997

Rangi McLean (left) is thought to be the first person with a full facial moko to graduate from a New Zealand university. He is shown in 1997, the year of his graduation from Auckland University, receiving a large carving from his Manurewa neighbour Richard Sims, who also has a facial moko, as a celebratory gift. 

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How to cite this page:

Rawinia Higgins, 'Tā moko – Māori tattooing - Contemporary moko', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/41253/tattooed-university-graduate-1997 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Rawinia Higgins, published 5 Sep 2013