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Tā moko, the traditional Māori tattooing, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance representing history, whakapapa, and identity, and should never be dismissed as mere 'scribbles,' according to Māori academic Paora Sharples. This statement arose after NZ First leader Winston Peters referred to co-leader Rawiri Waititi's moko kanohi in Parliament as 'scribbles,' a comment he later withdrew and apologized for. The importance of Māori cultural heritage is also highlighted through various significant sites and experiences across New Zealand, such as Ngāwhā Springs, Ruapekapeka Pā, Waitangi Treaty Grounds with its cultural performances and the world's largest ceremonial waka, and historic battle sites like Queens Redoubt and Rangiriri Pā, which offer educational tours on Māori history and resistance. In the arts, Aotearoa artist Marlon Williams has released an album entirely in te reo Māori, coinciding with current political tensions involving the Indigenous language and the suspension of MPs protesting legislation seen as reversing Indigenous rights. These events collectively emphasize the ongoing cultural pride, political challenges, and rich historical legacy of Māori in New Zealand today.