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Story: Tā moko – Māori tattooing

Mataora and Niwareka

This clip is from an animated short film version of the story of Mataora and Niwareka. The film-maker, Hika Taewa, is himself tattooed with traditional designs.

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Hika Taewa

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How to cite this page

Rawinia Higgins, Tā moko – Māori tattooing – Origins of tā moko, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/41234/mataora-and-niwareka (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Rawinia Higgins, published 4 April 2013.