Mataora is the famous ancestor who journeyed to the underworld to retrieve his wife Niwareka from that realm. While he was there he learned the art form of Moko from Niwareka’s father Uetonga, and brought the gift of Moko back to the realm of men, back to Aotearoa. This form of tattooed face is now called Kanohi Mataora, the Mataora style’s facial moko.
By Turumakina
Mataora is the famous ancestor who journeyed to the underworld to retrieve his wife Niwareka from that realm. While he was there he learned the art form of Moko from Niwareka’s father Uetonga, and brought the gift of Moko back to the realm of men, back to Aotearoa. This form of tattooed face is now called Kanohi Mataora, the Mataora style’s facial moko.
By Turumakina
