A Gold Coast tattoo artist says he's had more negative experiences in New Zealand than in Australia, despite a woman being denied entry to a local pub because of her moko kauae.
Bouncers told Jadene Kini her moko kauae was against the dress code, despite her trying to explain its significance.
Kini's moko kauae is a significant part of her identity that she wears with pride.
"Moko kauae is a birthright for every Māori woman," she told 7 News.
But the mana and the history of her whakapapa were ignored by bouncers at Gold Coast's Burleigh Pavilion.
"No tattoos allowed on faces - that was their policy," Kini said. "Being out in public, I sort of felt a little bit embarrassed and just shocked, I guess."
Tu Doley was the Gold Coast tattoo artist behind Kini's moko and told Newshub he'd seen and experienced it before.
"Ignorance in this day and age - it's kinda lame," Doley said.
But he believed Australians were more curious than discriminatory.
"Australia is quite accepting - I think I've had more negative experiences in New Zealand, myself," he said. "But there are still these little pockets around where facilities just blanket you in with gangsters."
Despite Kini explaining the moko was tied to her culture, she was still turned away from the pub but her friend, Kiwi NRLW rugby league star Madison Bartlett, was allowed in.
"My question was, 'How come I'm allowed to have a cultural tattoo on my arm and she can't have one on her face?'
"I just think they didn't have any idea," Bartlett said.
The Burleigh Pavilion did not respond to media requests for comment on Tuesday.
