"Mokorua is a revealing and emotional account of one woman receiving her moko kauae. Ariana Tikao grew up in suburban Christchurch in the 1970s and '80s surrounded by te ao Påakehåa. This book tells the story of Ariana exploring her whakapapa, her whåanau history and her language. This is one woman's story, but it is interwoven with the revival of language, tikanga and identity among Kåai Tahu whåanau over the last thirty years. Ariana's journey culminates in her decision to take on Mokorua - her moko kauae - from tåa moko artist Christine Harvey. After an emotionally charged ceremony that brought together whåanau, young and old, for songs and tautoko, hugs and tears, Ariana writes: 'Our whåanau had reached another milestone in the decolonisation process - or, rather, in our journey of reindigenising ourselves, becoming who we always were.' Through Ariana's words, te reo Måaori text by her hoa tåane Ross Calman, and an intimate, moving photo essay by Matt Calman, Mokorua reveals the journey of one woman reclaiming her Måaori identity."--Publisher description.