Tattoo arts are common in the Eastern Polynesian homeland of the Māori people, and the traditional implements … See more

The Pākehā practice of collecting and trading mokomokai (tattooed heads) changed the dynamic of tā moko in the early colonial period. King (see below) talks about changes that evolved in the late 19th century wh… See more

Since 1990 there has been a resurgence in the practice of tā moko for both men and women, as a sign of cultural identity and a reflection of the general revival of the language and culture. Most tā moko applied today is do… See more

• Mokomokai, preserved Māori heads
• Pe'a, traditional male Samoan tattoo See more

• Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Online Resources on Moko
• Images relating to moko from the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa… See more