Author Olivia Pierson Labels Nanaia Mahuta’s Moko ‘Ugly, Uncivilized’, Mighty Ape Throws Books

The Mighty Ape has withdrawn its books from an author following comments she made on Twitter about new Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta.

Mighty Ape NZ confirmed to the world on Twitter that they had made Olivia Pierson’s books unavailable, following her comments on social media.

Pierson said Jacinda Ardern had “completely woken up on stilts” by appointing Mahuta as foreign minister.

“Face tattoos are not exactly a polished and civilized presentation for a foreign diplomat in the 21st century,” he said on Twitter. Her Twitter bio describes her as based in New Zealand.

“Facial tattoos, especially on a diplomatic woman, are the height of ugly and uncivilized freedom.”

Nanaia Mahuta is New Zealand’s first foreign minister and the second of Maori heritage, after Winston Peters.

She is the first to have a moko kauae.

Mahuta declined to comment.

“Hi guys,” Mighty Ape replied to a Twitter user.

“Thank you for letting us know about this. We have made the book unavailable and will not make it available again. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou,” the company said on Twitter.

Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon says Nanaia’s kauae moko should be celebrated.

“It is special for New Zealand, special for Maori. It is interesting that many of our products are now marked with the Maori symbols and the essence of their culture,” he says.

“What I would say to those bad people is [to] stop your racism, stop your prejudices, grow up. Let’s face it, the world is changing, the Maori economy is growing. If the Maori economy grows, it is good for all New Zealanders. “

Twitter users described Mighty Ape’s move as “drawing the line” and as “impressive leadership.”

Olivia Pierson is the author of the book Western Values ​​Defended: A Primer. An advertisement for the book says: “There is only one way to shine the light of understanding about the times in which we live, and that is to know our place in history.”