Newly elected MP Rawiri Waititi brings mataora back to Parliament after 150 years

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi is bringing back something not seen in Parliament for one hundred and fifty years - a man's moko.

For the first time in 150 years, an MP with a mataora will join the ranks.

Rawiri Waititi, the representative for Waiariki, is the first MP in over a century to have mataora moko.

Mataora is the mythical figure who went to Rarohenga (the Underworld), and then brought back tattooing knowledge.

'Behind the tattooed face is a man with humility. I'm not really fazed what people say about my mataora, because it's a personal choice for me that derives from my people,” he told Māori TV’s Te Ao.

'If I am to be a role model for rangatahi to aspire to go into Parliament, then I'm happy to be that.'

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Tareha Te Moananui, principal chief of the Ngāti Kahungunu iwi, was one of the first Māori politicians elected to Parliament to have a mataora.

Waititi won the electorate by a narrow 415 votes on Saturday, knocking Labour’s incumbent Tamati Coffey off the perch.

Te Ao reports 5 per cent of the Māori Party have mokos. Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, who contested the Te Tai Tokerau seat, is having hers done this week.

Watch the video from Te Ao above.