The following is a brief excerpt from Tattoo History: A Source Book, by Stephen G. Gilbert now available in print.

Tattoo History Source Book: New Zealand

Major General Robley was a man of many talents. He distinguished himself in battle against the Maoris during the Maori rebellion of l865. He was also a writer and illustrator whose work appeared in Punch, The Illustrated Sporting News, and other British periodicals. Like most British military men, he had great respect for the courage of the Maori warriors. Unlike most British military men, he took a keen interest in Maori art and was the father of three half-Maori children.

Robley's book Moko, or Maori Tattooing, has remained the standard reference since its publication in 1896. In it Robley summarized all previous accounts of Moko and added much original material based on his own observations, including 180 original drawings and photographs. In the introduction to his book Robley wrote:

My main object in this book is to present a series of illustrations of the art of moko or tattooing, as practiced by the Maoris. It is fast vanishing, and a record of it by one who has studied the subject for many years may be worth publication. I have learnt all I could of moko in New Zealand, and from the best sources, and such skill as I have as an artist has long been employed in setting down my notes in the form of drawings.

Moko was unique in that the face was decorated with intricate spirals which were not only tattooed but incised into the skin to make scars in the form of parallel ridges and grooves. With the exception of slaves and commoners, all men were tattooed on the face and most were also tattooed on other parts of the body. An elegantly tattooed face was a great source of pride to a warrior, for it made him fierce in battle and attractive to women.

Women were also tattooed, but not as elaborately as the men. Lips outlined and tattooed solid blue were considered beautiful. The chin was also tattooed, and sometimes a few lines or spirals were worn on the cheeks or the forehead. One early explorer reported seeing Maori women with complete facial tattooing like that of the men, but this was apparently rare. Although tradition limited facial tattooing in women, there were apparently no rules as to what might be done to other parts of the body, and many women were elaborately tattooed on the breasts, thighs, and legs. Moko designs consisted of a series of traditional components, each of which had a name. These components were varied and elaborated by the artist so that although all facial tattoos resembled each other, no two were identical.