New Zealand’s new foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta, an ethnic Maori, has attracted attention with a traditional Maori tattoo on her chin.
On November 6, Jacinda Ardern was officially sworn in as Prime Minister of New Zealand for a second term. Along with Ms. Jacinda Ardern, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson and new Cabinet Ministers were also sworn in.
“This is a very worthy, talented and extremely diverse cabinet,” Ms. Ardern said of her selection. “What matters is their contribution to the people and country of New Zealand.”
(Source: CNN)
Decode moko kauae
Part of the new cabinet, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, chosen to replace Winston Peters, who lost his seat in parliament after the October 17 election, attracted attention as the first female foreign minister. New Zealand’s first.
More specifically, Ms. Mahuta also impressed with the traditional Maori tattoo (moko kauae) on her chin.
Moko tattoos are iconic, contain information about one’s ancestors, history and status and represent the culture, origin and identity of the Maori people.
In an interview with the Guardian, Nanaia Mahuta said: “Moko is an identity statement, it’s like a passport. I’m at a point where I’m ready to make a clear statement about who I am. and this is my position in New Zealand.”
(Source: CNN)
Each individual’s moko is unique, not “touched” with the tattoos of other individuals. The new foreign minister’s tattoo is considered to reflect her status and background.
Foreign Minister Mahuta is the granddaughter of the late Maori Empress Te Arikinui Te Atairangi Kaahu and a close relative of the current Maori monarch, Kingi Tuheitia.
Prime Minister Ardern’s administration has a total of five ethnic Maori ministers. In 2016, while serving as an MP, Ms. Mahuta made history when she became the first female MP to have a traditional Maori chin tattoo.
The art of building relationships
Mahuta was elected to the New Zealand Parliament nearly 20 years ago. She was appointed Maori Development Minister and Local Government Minister in 2017.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern praised Ms Mahuta as “a person who builds great relationships very quickly”. The prime minister added that Ms Mahuta’s experience with the government included diplomatic skills “that we need to represent New Zealand on the world stage”.
Speaking to reporters, Ms. Mahuta said she would continue to pursue a “radical trade” agenda along with other priorities.
“What we understand more than ever amid the Covid-19 pandemic is that, as a small country, we need to develop our relationships and maintain our commitment to a multilateral trading system. method, based on rules that are appropriate for New Zealand,” she said.
Rukuwai Tipene-Allen, a reporter for Maori Television , said Mahuta’s appointment means a lot.
“The first face people see on an international level is someone with a Maori voice, appearance and sound.”
