The "Moko; or Maori Tattooing" Project

Kia ora koutou katoa!

A current project being undertaken here at the Centre is the digitisation of "Moko; or Maori Tattooing" by Horatio Gordon Robley and 6 associated texts. "Moko", published in 1896, contains a brief history of the practice and nearly 200 images detailing moko-ed people, moko design and mokamokai (preserved heads).

Because of the Mātauranga Māori contained within the text and the images of mokamokai we felt that we needed to consult with Māori communities as well as other groups who would be potentially impacted by the digitisation of the text. This was to ensure that we were aware of all the issues that could result from its ditigisation and to help us make an informed decision about how we would go about presenting the text online. We have now reached a decision and have made available a paper outlining our consultation process, the responses we received, the options we had and the decisions that we made. This can be found here.

Comments on the project can be left here or you can post to the messageboard at Maori.org.nz.