March 27, 2024
Kaipara calls kaore on image theft
Former Newshub presenter Oriini Kaipara is objecting to an artist selling a portrait of her online.
Ms Kaipara, who was the first newsreader to appear on television with a moko kauae, told Radio Waatea talk host Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, it raises questions about when appreciation becomes appropriation.
She’s already been through a battle in 2020 when artist Samantha Payne painted her likeness without permission, and said in this case she had no involvement with the work listed on an online marketplace.
“Because he’s put it online to sell at $1200, my wonder is where did he think that would be okay to commercialise a complete stranger’s portrait online and get away with it? You know that’s not okay. Irrespective of whether it’s myself or anyone else, I disagree with that sentiment,” Ms Kaipara says.
She says with the growing normalisation among Māori to wear moko kanohi and moko kauae, it’s important to not let these things slide.