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A major New Zealand website has removed the books of a local author after she made comments about the country’s new Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, which many found offensive.
Mahuta is the first woman appointed to the post of Foreign Minister and the second Maori person.
In 2016, Mahuta became the first Maori woman to display a tattoo on her jaw. [sacred facial tattoo] in parliament and has been promoted from associate minister for housing and Maori affairs to one of the highest ministerial posts.
On Monday, writer Olivia Pierson publicly criticized Mahuta, commented on his moko and suggested it was inappropriate for a diplomat.
“Moko is a statement of identity, like a passport,” Mahuta of the Waikato-Maniapoto tribe told The Guardian in 2016. “I am at a point in my life where I am ready to make a clear statement that this it’s who I am, and this is my position in New Zealand. “
Mahuta had the moko kauae inked in 2016, along with 13 other prominent Maori women. They are usually awarded to high-ranking Maori women as a reflection of their position and mana, or power, in the community.
Marama Fox, co-leader of the Maori party, told The Guardian in 2016: “Aside from the fact that I find your moko kauae incredibly beautiful, it is an expression of your whakapapa [genealogy] and uniqueness.
“I am proud, as a Maori woman, to sit next to her in parliament to return to our political landscape a symbolic gesture of rangatiratanga [self-determination] previously deterred during our colonial struggle to give a vote to Maori women in their heritage land. “
On Twitter, Pierson wrote: “Facial tattoos, especially on a female diplomat, are the height of ugly and uncivilized wokedom!”
Then I’ll say it again: facial tattoos, especially on a diplomatic woman, are the height of the ugly and uncivilized wokedom! https://t.co/rjphfeISY4
– Olivia Pierson (@PiersonOlivia) November 2, 2020
On her website, Pierson describes herself as an “advocate of free thought.” His most recent book is Western Values Defended: A Primer. The Guardian has reached out to Pierson for comment.
Pierson’s comments were quickly censored, with many New Zealand Twitter users encouraging her to remove her original post.
New Zealand-run general products website Mighty Ape also took quick action, saying it would stop selling Pierson’s books immediately, prompting applause from many.
Mighty Ape was contacted for comment.
Pierson’s supporters say he has become the victim of an “extreme awakening,” and the Mighty Ape move was an example of “canceling culture” in action.
I placed a large order for the Mighty Ape yesterday and I am very happy ..
– What to do? (@AshleaGee) November 3, 2020
Mahuta, who has been a MP for more than 20 years, has previously said that she wanted to break the negative associations the moko facial has with gang membership in New Zealand.
“I think there is an emerging awareness about the revitalization of Maori culture and that facial moko is a positive aspect of that. We have to get away from moko being linked to gangs, because that’s not what moko stands for at all. “
Mahuta said that since getting a tattoo, most responses had been positive and inquisitive, sparking conversations about Maori culture and traditions in modern, multicultural New Zealand.
Traditionally, women’s facial moko was limited to the chin area, while men’s could be on the entire face.
Although the prevalence of facial moko declined after European colonization, since the late 20th century there has been a revival of facial moko as a means of recovering Maori identity and culture.
Mahuta has said that his moko is very individual and is also intrinsically linked to his tribe, whanau (family), and ties to New Zealand’s rivers and mountains.
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