BBC - A History of the World - Object : Horatio Robley Maori Chief Watercolour

Contributed by Durham Light Infantry Museum

Watercolour of the Maori Chief Te Kuha, New Zealand 1866 © Trustees of the DLI Museum

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Tattooing continues to be important to Maori todayThis watercolour portrait of a Maori Chief was painted by a soldier of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI), Horatio Robley, in 1866. The chief's tattoos are particularly fine examples of traditional Maori tattooing.

The DLI were in New Zealand between 1864 and 1866, to prevent the Maori people from restricting the expansion of British settlements. Lieutenant Robley devoted much of his time to drawing and absorbing the culture of the local people. He went on to champion their way of life, providing much evidence of their culture as it was transforming under European influence.

He was particularly interested in the Maoris' tattoos or 'Moko' and may have had some Moko of his own. Robley was given the name 'Te Ropere' when he lived with the Maoris, eventually meeting a Maori woman, Harete Mauao, with whom he had a son. He left New Zealand in 1866 with his Regiment, and never returned. However, he continued to support his family in New Zealand and his descendants are still there today.

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1. At 06:59 on 13 November 2010, islandbaygardener wrote:
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa holds photos of Robley and more of his artwork.
http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/party.aspx?irn=4504
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