Newshub newsreader Mike McRoberts has debuted his tā moko in an emotive documentary about his journey learning te re Māori.
The documentary 'Kia Ora, Good Evening' follows the broadcaster on his journey learning te reo and developing his understanding of tikanga. It aired on Three and ThreeNow at 8:40pm on Tuesday.
During the documentary, McRoberts speaks out about feeling embarrassed he didn't know te reo Māori. He also documents his experience performing a whaikōrero at his marae after taking te reo lessons and getting his tā moko.
McRoberts said getting his tā moko was so important because it helped him piece together his identity.
"The puzzle of your own identity and who you are, tā moko is one part and te reo is another part and you start adding those pieces together," he said.
McRoberts' tā moko was done by his nephew Shaun Halbert-Pere who explained the significance of his design.
"I want to put your kids on your chest because it's closer to your heart. I want to put your grandparents on there with them so they are watching over them and then I will start at the top of your shoulder with your mother and father then I will do siblings and rest [down the arm]," Shaun told McRoberts.
The broadcaster said having someone from his whanau as his tā moko artist just added to the significance.
"To hear the thought process my nephew Shaun went through to design this and what it means and the different parts of it, I was thinking, 'Why didn't I do this years ago?'," he said.
The tā moko took 12 hours and was a milestone moment in his life.
"I felt every line and I had moments of great pain and moments of really deep reflection on things," McRoberts said.
"I felt incredibly blessed to have my whanau around and, at various points, they stepped in to hold my hand or rub my feet or rub my head or just be there. There were some beautiful moments actually."
His family was also incredibly proud of him. His father Watene (Mac) McRoberts said it was incredible while his aunts said she was "so proud".
"Thank god he did come home and do it, it was the best thing ever," Watene said.
"I'm so proud to have him come here and do this at our marae," aunty Hine Whaanga said. "And bring all his family and his mum back here to our home town (Wairoa), to our marae."
Watch the full Kia Ora, Good Evening documentary on ThreeNow.
