Maori's Tattoos

The tattoo came to New Zealand from Eastern Polynesian culture.

It's a symbol of the passage in the grow-up age and represent the identity of the individual, the social status, the heritage and his accomplishments. Every individual's tattoos were different.

The male facial tattoo is generally divided into eight sections :

1. Ngakaipikirau (rank). The center forehead area
2. Ngunga (position). Around the brows
3. Uirere (hapu rank). The eyes and nose area
4. Uma (first or second marriage). The temples
5. Raurau (signature). The area under the nose
6. Taiohou (work). The cheek area
7. Wairua (mana). The chin
8. Taitoto (birth status). The jaw

Boys received their first tattoos in their teens in a ritual setting, and by old age often had tattoos all over their bodies. Women were also tattooed, but not as extensively as men.