Rukuwai: Moko Kauae

Lily and I recently had the privilege of catching up and taking photos with Rukuwai Tipene-Allen. Rukuwai shared about her journey to getting her moko kauae, her experience with Christianity as a Māori, and the reclamation of Māori culture in Aotearoa.

We recorded our chat on the grass in Waitangi Park with the intention of pulling excerpts to go with the photos, but when listening back I realised it had to be her voice telling this story. Hit play below and listen while you check out the photos. Just a heads up for those who might have kids listening that there is some coarse language.

“My culture has been oppressed, my language beaten out of my people, my land stolen from beneath our feet, but my moko kauae remains. When you see my face; you see generations of whakapapa who live on through me, you see a people - who despite your attempts to oppress and to eradicate - are still here, still proud, still Māori. We are still here.” -Rukuwai

Rukuwai on Instagram - @rukuwaiallen

Hasselblad 500c/m / Portra 800 / Dev+scan by The Black & White Box

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