Skip Content

Moko Kauae – Gifted Treasures of the Past for the Future is a book that showcases stunning images of wahine with moko kauae and shares their stories.

Author Benita Tahuri says moko kauae is the physical manifestation of a wairua journey and a taonga tuku iho – a gift to be handed down.

“The pukapuka is a visual sharing of how the wairua of moko kauae continues to be a living and vibrant part of our lives says Benita, the Subject Matter Expert (SME) Training and Development kaimahi based at Mangakōtukutuku.

“I also wanted to leave the legacy of moko kauae for my mokopuna."

Moko Kauae is a platform to share messages of understanding and empowerment and celebrate as well a wider family of wāhine across the motu who embrace, celebrate and wear moko kauae.

Benita, her two daughters, mother and sister feature in the book along with eight other wahine she shares personal relationships with and connected to the wānanga.

She hopes Moko Kauae inspires others to share their own whānau stories of wāhine from the past and present, who have moko kauae.

Benita acknowledged Moko Kauae photographer Jos Wheeler at the recently held book launch for his great work and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa for publishing the book. Moko Kauae is a wānanga research resource and not for sale.

Limited copies are available at Mangakōtukutuku

 Back to news & events

Published On: 14 July 2015

Article By: Alice Te Puni



Other Articles

  • 31 July 2025

    Whānau fuelled success at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

    Nadia MacDonald’s journey through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Diploma in Small Business and Project Management highlights the power of whānau support, Māori values, and practical learning. Discover how she balanced work, study, and parenting to achieve success and uplift her community.

  • 24 July 2025

    Tamariki once were cherished

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Te Manawahoukura Rangahau Centre releases Taku Waipiataata, Taku Hei Tāwhiri, a powerful report calling for a revival of gentle, respectful Māori parenting. Discover how tūpuna child-rearing practices can transform whānau wellbeing and uplift future generations.

  • 24 July 2025

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa chief executive Evie O’Brien announced as Te Kura Toroa

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa celebrates its 40th anniversary by bestowing chief executive Evie O’Brien with the enduring title of Te Kura Toroa. Discover the cultural significance of this new role and its reflection of leadership, kaitiakitanga, and Māori values.

  • 23 July 2025

    Māori musician's reo Māori journey leads to wānanga kaiako role

    Jordyn Rapana, known as Jordyn With A Why, shares her inspiring journey of learning te reo Māori to raise her tamariki in a reo-speaking home. From immersion study to becoming a kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, discover how music, whānau, and culture shaped her path.