Homme de la Nouvelle Zelande

William Hodges, the artist on James Cook’s second Pacific voyage, was expected to accurately depict the environments and people encountered. The artist’s job, he wrote, was ‘truth’, not ‘fanciful representations’.

In this print, the mana (dignity) of a Māori chief – possibly Te Rangituanui, principal chief of Ngāti Hikatoa in the Hawke’s Bay region – is shown through his adornment. His full facial moko (tattoo) in a spiral pattern extends onto his forehead, usually a sign of superior status. His hair is in a topknot decorated with feathers, while he wears pōhoi toroa (clusters of white albatross down) in his ears.