New Zealand journalist Oriini Kaipara is in charge of presenting news events on TVNZ during its prime time slot. This was an important milestone for the Polynesian ethnic group, whose tattoo is called moko kauae.
Oriini Kaipara is a New Zealand journalist who, at 37 years of age, has become the first person to read television news with a tattoo on her face, and a very special one at that, as the real name of this art is called moko kauae, originating from the Polynesian Maori ethnic group.
This is a historical and important event for her that makes her proud of her Maori roots. «It’s really exciting. I’m really enjoying it. I’m not speechless, but it’s a buzz. I am proud of how far I’ve come in being able to anchor at 6pm right now,» she told Stuff.
Oriini Kaipara
Within her professional experience, she’s had experience as a newsreader at TVNZ since 2019 during the midday newscast. Today, she’s taken over the prime time slot.
With her characteristic moko kauae, she has won the hearts of many viewers, and, in that same way, she has brought this culture closer to more people, even at a global scale, since it is very likely that many individuals don’t know about it. “It’s definitely a step forward, and a step-up. If there was a goal for me, it would be anchoring prime time news, and that’s happened,” Oriini told Stuff.
Oriini Kaipara
The tattoo on her chin is traditional for Maori women and symbolizes the transformation from childhood to adulthood.
Oriini is also an accomplished journalist in her own right, known for doing excellent work and being bilingual. She has Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Rangitihi ancestry, all groups belonging to the Maori culture.
Oriini Kaipara
For the professional, this fact is very important because it represents an opportunity for people belonging to the Polynesian ethnicity, which promotes inclusion in a way. «It is opening up new avenues for us as Maori, but also for people of color, whether you have a moko kauae or not,» Oriini told the same media outlet.
Oriini is living a historic event.