Riki-Ani Mareroa Last month I had the pleasure of visiting Aotearoa to participate in Shift, a group exhibition at the Canterbury Museum in Ōtautahi. When I landed in Aotearoa, I very quickly became aware of the similarities the country has with Ireland, such as the population, nature, history, landscape and people. I was drawn to the cultural ties of the Māori people and the Irish people, how they had both at one point lost so much of their culture and traditions, especially their native language due to colonialism. It was great to see that culture coming back strongly in Aotearoa. This piece is of Ani, a local woman who works at the museum as Collections technician Human History. Ani’s mother was the first in five generations to have a traditional Moko Kauae, and last year Ani followed in her mother’s footsteps. I spoke with Ani about the meaning her Moko Kauae has had on her life and the positive impact it has brought. Ani told me how it represents her Whakapapa and her journey, both past and future. It was amazing to see such pride in this sacred tradition. Before meeting Ani, I had read a book called Mokorua: My story of Moko Kauae, which details the journey of Ariana Tikao as she prepares to receive her Moko Kauae. After I met Ani I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the artist, Christine Harvey, who had created Ariana’s Moko was also the same artist who created Ani’s. #mural #Aotearoa #Ōtautahi #Christchurch #Newzealand #art #portrait #cmyk #artist #irishartist #foryou #fyp