Māori migrated to New Zealand from the Pacific Islands about 1,000 years ago, bringing with them the tradition of tattooing. Over time, however, Māori tattoos took on a very different look than their Polynesian counterparts.
For example, Māori used chisels instead of combs to cut deeper into the skin and create grooved scars. They also added striking spiral motifs that mirrored the shape of the koru (a native fern to New Zealand), giving their designs a less geometric look.
Māori also used other ingredients to make their tattoo ink, such as the soot of the awheto (a type of caterpillar), which was mixed with water, fish oil, or resin. Their facial tattoos required a darker ink, so instead of awheto they used pukepoto (a dark blue clay) which gave the ink a blue hue.
Traditionally, each tāmoko was unique and appropriate to the status and character of the person receiving it. Motifs, chosen for their symbolic meanings, told the story of the wearer’s lineage, history and personalities.
The practice of facial tāmoko declined from the mid-19th century after it was discouraged by European colonists who considered the practice unchristian. However, today the tradition is very popular with prominent leaders, business and media people, who now consciously choose to have visible tattoos themselves.
