Maori man outraged after being refused service at Perth’s Hotel Windsor over his traditional Mataora facial tattoos
Maori man was furious after being turned away from Perth’s Hotel Windsor because of his traditional Mataora facial tattoos
A Perth pub has reportedly turned away a Maori war veteran and refused to serve him because of his traditional facial tattoos.
Michael Barclay told it A current issue on Tuesday he had visited Hotel Windsor in the south of the city for dinner with his wife.
“We asked if we could look at the menus… and thought we would order,” he told host Ally Langdon.
‘It was at that stage that the bar worker turned around and said, “Sorry, I can’t serve you”, and I said, “Why is that?”, and she said, “Because you have facial tattoos”. ‘
The traditional method of tattooing practiced by the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, is called Ta Moko.
Michael Barclay (pictured) was embarrassed when he was turned away from a Perth pub because of his traditional tattoos and plans to complain to the Human Rights Commission
Mr Barclay (pictured), a ‘law-abiding’ veteran, said he served in the army to protect people’s rights not to be ‘harassed for who you are’
Maori men traditionally receive a facial tattoo known as Mataora, a symbol of nobility, while women receive tattoos on their lips and chin called Moko kauae, representative of their abilities and status within their community.
After explaining the cultural significance of his tattoos to the bar worker, who later identified himself as the venue’s manager, Mr Barclay was still refused.
Nearby customers who were also “stunned” tried to convince the staff member to let the couple order food, Barclay said.
‘She said, “Yes, we know about you Kiwis, but you still can’t stay, you’ll have to leave.”
‘So we left, there was nothing we saw that said we couldn’t enter the pub because of facial tattoos, and it wasn’t until later that we looked on the website and were stunned to find… that we could’ With facial tattoos you weren’t allowed to inside, but dogs were allowed to enter the site.’
Mr Barclay said he was ‘stunned’ and ’embarrassed’ by the incident, especially after taking time to explain the cultural significance of his Mataora.
“I served in the military … for the right to walk down the street, walk into a hotel or restaurant and not be harassed for who you are,” he said.
Mr Barclay said he is now considering referring the incident to the Human Rights Commission.
Mr Barclay said he was shocked when he was asked to leave the Hotel Windsor in Perth, despite explaining the cultural significance of his Mataora facial tattoo.
“This is not an isolated case, I know other Maori who have had their Mataoras questioned,” he said.
‘There are many Maori who assume their right to wear Mataora and Moko kauae, and they should be allowed to behave in the way they see fit, as long as they don’t hurt anyone and (behave) in a socially acceptable manner.
“I’m a law-abiding ex-veteran with no criminal record at all… and you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.”
A Current Affair contacted the pub for comment.
The cafe says on its website that facial tattoos are not allowed at any time.