Maori tattoo's can be used to represent their family heritage. The world tattoo comes from the Tahitian word tatau. Captain James Cook used the word tattow when he witnessed tattooing for the first time in Tahiti, in 1769. And according to Maori mythology a man bye the name of Mataora (which means "Face of Vitality") loved a lady (her name was Niwareka) from another realm they loved each other but something happen and the parted. Mataora was very sad and tried and tried to get to the realm. But when he got there Niwareka's dad made fun of Mataora's face paint. But in Mataora's  very humbled state, Mataora begged Niwareka for forgiveness, which she eventually accepted. Niwareka's father then offered to teach Mataora the art of tattooing, and at the same time Mataora also leant the art of Taniko - the plaiting of cloak borders in many colours.