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Political activist Tame Iti had a traditional moko tattooed onto his face last year and encourages others to do so as well, but only after taking a vow to take no drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or commit acts of domestic violence. During 1995 Waitangi Day he caused a public relations disaster for the New Zealand government by spitting and bearing his buttocks at the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Waitangi Day commemorates the 1840 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is the founding document of New Zealand. Considered one of the most creative of Maori protesters, he first gained notoriety by setting up a tent in front of the Parliament building and declaring it the Maori Embassy. Widely traveled in the international circles of the “First Nation” movement, he seeks “de-colonization” and return of Maori lands. He has recently been knocking on doors of local white ranchers and handing out eviction notices to shocked “Pakeha” (New Zealanders of European ancestry), demanding return of their land that was stolen from his people. He expects them to ignore his eviction notices and plans to start tearing down their fences soon.

Filename
STNMTZ_19960201_01.tif
Copyright
© 1996 George Steinmetz
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7258x4817 / 100.1MB
www.georgesteinmetz.com
Contained in galleries
Maori
Political activist Tame Iti had a traditional moko tattooed onto his face last year and encourages others to do so as well, but only after taking a vow to take no drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or commit acts of domestic violence. During 1995 Waitangi Day he caused a public relations disaster for the New Zealand government by spitting and bearing his buttocks at the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Waitangi Day commemorates the 1840 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is the founding document of New Zealand. Considered one of the most creative of Maori protesters, he first gained notoriety by setting up a tent in front of the Parliament building and declaring it the Maori Embassy. Widely traveled in the international circles of the “First Nation” movement, he seeks “de-colonization” and return of Maori lands. He has recently been knocking on doors of local white ranchers and handing out eviction notices to shocked “Pakeha” (New Zealanders of European ancestry), demanding return of their land that was stolen from his people. He expects them to ignore his eviction notices and plans to start tearing down their fences soon.

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