Merry Xmas and a happy new year Oliver,People have opinions Oliver and me .....This time I can say that my opinion in this matter is based on my ancestary.I was born in NZ to a maori father and a half cast english mother.My last few years in school were spent at a Anglican Maori boys college where we were taught things regarding the Maori culture.It may seem strange to you but unfortunately 90per cent of my people do not speak our native tongue.That is sad in the context that it takes away a certain amount of MANA or pride from the people,hence the movie Once were Warriors.Which depicted the state of living in the Ghetto s of N.Z.The moko is a tatoo that was passed on to the warrior when he had earnt his right to stand with cheifs and Tohungas .experts.in battle .It is highly regarded by maori people as the next step to cheiftan.Which is followed by an expert and then Cheif.I know that you were unaware of it but I also get asked about it all the time. It was very painful in application but the rewards were those other wise reserved for kings.TOA wears it to express his culture and it works,I personally have nothing against him but the current Tohungas would.The point been is that not all facial tatoos are ugly.The maori moko is a mark of respect and as much as the haka is associated with it they signify a certain beauty that we are fighting hard to rebuild.I will try and post some sights latter that will show you the real mc coy.Toa in maori would means Warrior.