– Customer review on 17/08/2009

Cher Koro Robley, big ups, lol good line drawings and moko tohu toa from back in the day. All write information for an olden days white guy, lol still glad you wrote it, love the detailed Moko kanohi.

Blah!! Maori Aotearoa Nui Tonu, Nui Tonu !! xx

– Customer review on 20/06/2006

the culture of maori tattooing the origins of maori tattooing is a very painfull to be completed my Uncle he has had tattooing done you have to be very brave and yes it looks very painfull like your skin is being carved very gross if you as me. a lengend goes.

According to Māori mythology, tattooing commenced with a love affair between a young man by the name of Mataora (which means "Face of Vitality") and a young princess of the underworld by the name of Niwareka.

One day however, Mataora beat Niwareka, and she left Mataroa, running back to her father's realm which was named "Uetonga".

Mataora, filled with guilt and heartbreak followed after his princess Niwareka. After many trials, and after overcoming numerous obstacles, Mataora eventually arrived at the realm of "Uetonga", but with his face paint messed and dirty after his voyage. Niwareka's family taunted and mocked Mataora for his bedraggled appearance. In his very humbled state, Mataora begged Niwareka for forgiveness, which she eventually accepted. Niwareka's father then offered to teach Mataora the art of tattooing, and at the same time Mataora also leant the art of Taniko - the plaiting of cloak borders in many colours.

Mataora and Niwareka thus returned together to the human world, bringing with them the arts of ta moko and taniko.