While I get the gist of this article, I absolutely don't agree with the statement: "What it boils down to really… is stop being entitled and nosy. Everything ain’t for you to know OR understand." Learning and understanding anything that is outside of our normal frame of reference opens us up to being empathetic and understanding people. Ignorance is NOT bliss and being "different" does not make you special. Again, agree that touching without permission is always a no-no, but there's nothing wrong with asking (thoughtfully), listening, and learning.

Love the picture of her at her news desk. I'mm glad the station weren't jerks about it.

I think learning from her DNA that she was 100% Maori wss huge to her. Maori share something with American Indians in that many were adopted into non-indigenous families, deprived forever of their heritage. https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/13-07-2019/how-closed-adoption-robbed-maori-children-of-their-identity/

She is 100% maori and keeps up with her folk's tradition while causing no harm to anyone. I see no problem here.

If you're going to ink your face, you have to expect questions. Especially when you make a decision to be a public figure. I do agree with the personal space. Noone has a right to just reach out & touch another, anywhere.

Surely it's ok to ask? Obviously, in a tactful way. How else is someone "not in the know" supposed to learn? As in every other situation, it's all about the context. If you work with someone every day and one day they look or act differently, it should be common courtesy to at least show some interest in their private lives, because the reasons behind the change could be wildly different. Similarly it is totally ok to like other people's appearances, practices and beliefs. It's called empathy. So, get off your high horse and accept that people are willing to pay attention to you, find you interesting and maybe even like you.

I live in a Tayal village in the Austronesian homeland, Taiwan. Tattoo and taboo are the same word, and aborigines all over Taiwan take these very seriously. In this tribe there is a lot of discussion about whether tattoos should be revived, because there are so many taboos, and nobody wants to displease utux, the ancestors. Once I met a Maori who had come to visit his ancestors' home. He had a full facial tattoo. It was stunning, it was so beautiful, so much more beautiful and powerful than you can tell from photos.

I think it is 100% ugly, BUT is my taste. If she feels good doing that and she's proud, I'm happy ok with that. Enjoy if you like, who am I to judge if doesn't affects me?

Everyone in this comment section doesn't understand...it is not an ordinary face tattoo. It is a Moko. It is a part of Maori culture, not just a last minute decision made drunkenly late at night. If you read the introduction paragraph you would know that this woman is 100% Maori and therefore she 100% has the right to show that she is proud of her culture and background on her face if she wants to. No one in NZ will ever raise an eyebrow at someone with a Moko. It's normal.

I might not understand the tattoo, but I would still ask and get educated without making a big scene about it. I think it's very interesting to learn about other people and their cultural backgrounds. I commend this beautiful woman on her amazing Maori Tattoo. Very pretty. Would love o learn more about it from someone who is Pakeha so i get the best explanation.

There is no there there. It's what another person thinks, not the woman whose lovely face is being shown in numerous places. Seems more like using a friend to get attention than explaining the newscaster's thoughts and feelings. Nice you defended someone, but this isn't about you.

I’ve always found saying "May I ask you a question, and if I may not it’s ok" keeps things respectful for both.

I'm super-glad the news station kept her on - I have a suspicion there's lots more to the story though. Often public figures that represent a company will have riders in their contracts about maintaining the company's standards for physical appearance. I think the public is sometimes too quick to vilify an employer when it's the employee that's willingly violated their own contract. Happy that everything here seems copacetic though!!

I know appearance was not the reason behind the tattoo but it looks amazing! Good for her! Takes a hell of a lot of spiritual commitment to endure having your lips tattooed.

dont ever ask people anything. got it.

do not touch people!! i don't know if it's so bad to ask...respectfully...certainly not 'whoa, wtf happened to your face' of course.

Her tat looks cool af

Derogatory and hateful comments only reveal the intelligence level of ugly humans. Let's all practice "If you have nothing kind to say DO NOT say anything at all."

I worked retail with a woman with this type of tattoo. It looks awful and was so distracting.She had a hard time finding employment and people just stared at her .

Much as I detest tattoos of any kind, somehow I find this intriguing and totally inoffensive, even though the first time I saw such a tattoo was on that tv programme, "Hell on Wheels!" The wearer of the tattoo looked as if she had been taken prisoner by an Indian Tribe, and later released or escaped. Of course it would be rude to ask, but the not knowing is annoying me, so excuse me while I go and have a quick Google!

It's not accepted here, but I would want so badly a face tattoo....

I can't see anything disrespectful in asking another person what happened if we see a big change in them. If they don't want to explain, it's obviously their right, and they can always reply with "its personal", or "I prefer not to speak about it", and it's fine. The thing is, apparently there's no way of pleasing some people: if you ignore them, they accuse you of being selfish and uncaring, but if you ask or comment, even on the politest manner, you are nosy and offensive. A piece of news people: you are not the centre of the universe!

I dont get it,...if your not part of that culture then why get the tat...

Any giant black face tattoo is a real commitment. To each his/her own.

And this will get copied by women from all over now

Brilliant! Shave your hair, get a face tattoo and be offended if it's noticed. I'm hoping this " I'm offended " thing will end soon cause I can't keep up with it and I'm really tired of it.

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SHE IS A PUBLIC FIGURE WHO TATTOOED HER FACE. obviously people are going to stare, have questions, have opinions. The only reason this is being celebrated is bc she is a person of color. Celts, Scandinavians, and Britians are a just a few Caucasian ancient cultures that extensively tattooed people/warriors. I guarantee a descendant of one of these cultures doing the same thing would not be celebrated in the same way. times change, cultural norms do as well. you are free to tattoo whatever you want but that doesn't protect you from stares and jeers or maybe even keep your job safe. FYI i have over 110 plus hours of tattoos, none on my neck, face, or hands, as i work in a white collar corporate environment....

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Not a fan of the facial tattoo, it's distracting when I'm trying to watch the program. Before anyone slams me because it's her cultural heritage, her ancestors also ran around naked, let her do that as well.

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That just doesn’t fly in this culture. I think it’s hideous, but I would never confront anyone directly about their choices. I just live and let live. But if you wanna look that different you gotta be ready for people to take second looks, gasp, or point and laugh. Just the way it is.

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What an idiotic thing to do.