Australian pub refuse entry to Māori woman with moko kauae

An Australian pub has been labelled “uneducated and culturally insensitive” after refusing entry to a Māori woman with a moko kauae (a traditional tattoo on the chin, representing a woman’s whānau/family, community service, and more), Newshub reports. “Every Māori woman has birthright for kauae, it’s an identity, it’s who you are and where you come from,” said one of the women. The other added, “We tried to explain it’s more than just a facial tattoo it’s a cultural tattoo, but they didn’t really want to listen.” They are now calling for a rule change, so distinctions can be made for culturally significant tattoos.