Newsreader hits back at viewer who called her Maori face tattoo a 'bad look'

A newsreader has hit back at a 'prejudice' viewer who called her Māori face tattoo a 'bad look'.

Oriini Kaipara made history last year when she read the 6:00pm news bulletin for Newshub with the traditional chin tattoo, called a moko kauae.

While people across the globe praised the New Zealand reporter for representing the Māori people, one viewer named 'David' said the look was too 'aggressive'.

Kaipara has since clapped back at the complaint, saying that while she doesn't normally acknowledge the haters, she decided to break her code and 'hit the send button' as she'd 'had enough'.

Taking to her Instagram Story, Kaipara shared a screenshot of an email the man had sent to her and the entire newsroom.

It reads: "We continue to object strongly to you using a Māori newsreader with a moku which is offensive and aggressive looking. A bad look."

He continued: "She also bursts into the Māori language which we do not understand. Stop it now."

The journalist offered up the perfect response, which she also shared in a screenshot on her page.

Kaipara started off by writing, "Kia ora David," before adding: "Thank you for all your complaints against me and my ‘moku'.

"I do find them very difficult to take seriously given there is no breach of broadcast standards.

"If I may, I’d like to correct you on one thing - it is moko not moku.

"A simple, helpful pronunciation guide of ‘Maw-Caw’ will help you articulate the word correctly.

"I gather your complaints stem from a place of preference on how one must look on-screen, according to you.

"Moko and people with them are not threatening, nor do they deserve such discrimination, harassment or prejudice.

"Moko are ancient cultural markings unique to the indigenous people of Aotearoa, myself included."

Kaipara rightly pointed out that the community does not deserve to be treated 'with such disregard'.

@oriinz/Instagram

She finished by saying: "Please refrain from complaining further, and restrain your cultural ignorance and bias for another lifetime, preferably in the 1800s.

"Nga mihi matakuikui o te wa. Oriini Kaipara (The lady with the moko kauwae who speaks Māori but MOSTLY English on TV)."

It's unfortunate that these lessons still need to be taught in this day and age, but at least that's one more d**k who's been put in their place.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact Stop Hate UK by visiting their website www.stophateuk.org 

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