Maori people consider tattoo art as sacred, and it is taken as an important marker of the wearer's identity. The move follows local media reports that the filters were proliferating on social media.

The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word "Tatau" in traditional Maori society ... Ancient Polynesian people didn't have it in words – tattoos were the only way to communicate their status ...

The airline said research found one in five adult New Zealanders has at least one tattoo, with more than 35% of people under 30 tattooed. For people of Maori descent, markings known as moko are ...