The tribal tattoos of the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand were one of the first discovered by modern civilization. The spiral facial markings consist of distinctive line patterns with deep scarred grooves that are known as Tā moko. Most of the high-ranking officials were adorned with tattoos to distinguish them from the lower status members of the society. For both men and women of the tribes, receiving their moko tattoos meant the transcendence between childhood to adulthood involving many ancient rituals. Other than rank and status, the exotic markings were used to attract the opposite sex to seduce a mate. This was unlike anything the European culture had ever seen and became a fascinating enigma. Even though the discovery was introduced into Europe in the early 1800's, it wasn't until recently that tribal tattooing had a global explosion and impact on the modern development in the tattoo culture.
The tradition of the Tā moko tattoos have been resurrected into the modern generation as a sign of proud cultural identity as seen in the 1994 drama, Once Were Warriors.
In the urban setting of New Zealand, the dysfunction of the Heke family is bursting at the seams. Temuera Morrison plays Jake, the alcoholic father who surrounds his family with explosive violence and dangerous individuals. Beth is the wife and mother portrayed by Rena Owen who is trying to cope with the abuse and poverty plaguing the family. Her youngest son is in trouble with the law with threats of being removed from the home to be placed in foster care. After becoming distant from the family, the eldest son is running with a street gang. When the serious problem is revealed about their daughter, Beth is determined to keep her family together after tragedy strikes.
