A TV presenter with a traditional Māori face tattoo has calmly replied to negative comments from a viewer, proudly standing up for her cultural heritage and identity.
Facial tattoos often spark debates online. Some people think tattoos should only be on the body, while others understand and appreciate their cultural importance.
Oriini Kaipara, 41, made history when she became a newsreader for New Zealand’s Newshub. She is the first primetime TV news presenter to wear a moko kauae, a special facial tattoo for Māori women.
The Māori are the indigenous people of mainland New Zealand. They see moko kauae as important symbols of their heritage and identity. These tattoos, traditionally on the lips and chin, show a woman’s family ties, leadership, and honor her lineage, status, and abilities.
Oriini Kaipara. Credit: Oriini Kaipara / Instagram.
Despite receiving praise, one viewer named David expressed his dislike for Kaipara’s moko kauae in an email to Newshub.
He wrote, “We continue to object strongly to you using a Māori newsreader with a moku [moko] which is offensive and aggressive looking. A bad look. She also bursts into the Māori language which we do not understand. Stop it now,” according to the Daily Mail.
But Kaipara didn’t let David’s negative words stop her. She bravely shared screenshots of his messages on her Instagram story and responded calmly.
“Today I had enough. I responded. I never do that. I broke my own code and hit the send button,” she wrote on her Instagram story alongside a screenshot of David’s message.
Kaipara didn’t just share screenshots of David’s email, she also responded to him. She explained that his complaint wasn’t valid because she hadn’t broken any rules for TV.
She also corrected David’s spelling mistake. He called her tattoo a “moku” instead of “moko”.
In her email back to him, Kaipara said, “I think you don’t like how I look on TV. But tattoos and people with them aren’t scary or bad. We don’t deserve to be treated badly because of them.”
She asked him to stop complaining and to try to understand better. She even joked that maybe he should go back to the 1800s if he couldn’t accept people with tattoos.
Despite David’s negative words, Kaipara says she mostly gets nice comments, and mean ones are rare.
In an interview with the New Zealand Herald, Kaipara talked about how it’s important to have more Māori people in important jobs. She said, “The fact that my existence makes some people upset shows why we need more Māori people in every job.”
Kaipara’s calm response reminds us how important it is to be proud of who you are, even when people are mean. She’s inspiring others to be proud of themselves and stand up to unfair treatment.
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I Would’ve Never Known! Just Apply This to Your Feet – No More Market Trips!
It sounds too simple to be true, but applying apple cider vinegar (ACV) to your feet can bring surprising benefits that might just change your daily routine. This old remedy has been passed down for generations—and once you try it, you’ll understand why people swear by it!
What Happens When You Use Apple Cider Vinegar on Your Feet?
Apple cider vinegar is packed with natural acids, enzymes, and antibacterial properties. When used on your feet, it can help:
- Eliminate foot odor
- Soften rough skin and calluses
- Soothe tired, aching feet
- Fight fungal infections (like athlete’s foot or nail issues)
- Balance pH levels and detox through the skin
How to Use It
You don’t need anything fancy—just a few minutes and a small bowl.
Soothing ACV Foot Soak:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups warm water
- (Optional) A few drops of lavender or tea tree oil
Instructions:
- Mix the vinegar and warm water in a small basin.
- Soak your feet for 15–20 minutes.
- Pat dry and moisturize with a natural cream or coconut oil.
Do this 2–3 times a week and you’ll start seeing softer skin, fresher feet, and improved comfort.
Why You Won’t Need the Market
With regular use, you might no longer need to buy separate creams for dry skin, powders for odor, or treatments for fungal issues. ACV does it all—naturally and affordably.
Nature Knows Best
Sometimes the most powerful remedies are the ones hiding in plain sight. One bottle of apple cider vinegar can do more than you’d expect—starting from your feet, all the way to how you feel. Give it a try, and see the difference for yourself!
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