Television presenter Oriini Kaipara, proudly wearing a traditional Māori face tattoo, responded gracefully to online trolls, reaffirming her cultural pride and identity.
Kaipara, a trailblazing 41-year-old newsreader for New Zealand’s Newshub, made history as the first person to deliver a primetime news bulletin while wearing the moko kauae, a significant cultural symbol worn by Māori women. The moko kauae, traditionally placed on the lips and chin, reflects a woman’s heritage, status, leadership, and familial connections within the Māori community, the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand.
Despite the praise Kaipara has received, one viewer named David expressed his displeasure through an email to Newshub. According to the Daily Mail, David’s message criticized Kaipara’s appearance, calling her moko “offensive and aggressive looking” and dismissing her use of the Māori language as “incoherent.”
Rather than ignoring the remarks, Kaipara confronted them head-on. She shared the email exchange on her Instagram story, handling the situation with grace and dignity. In her response to David, Kaipara pointed out that his complaints were based on personal preferences about appearance and corrected his misspelling of the word “moko.” She made it clear that moko kauae represents no threat, and such expressions of cultural pride do not deserve intolerance or discrimination.
“We mean no harm or ill intent,” Kaipara wrote. “Neither do we deserve to be treated with such disregard.” She added a sharp rebuke, telling David to hold off on expressing his “cultural ignorance and bias” until a time more suited to such views—“ideally the 1800s.”
Despite this negative comment, Kaipara emphasized that most responses to her are positive, and trolls like David are the exception. In an interview with the New Zealand Herald following the incident, Kaipara spoke about the importance of having more Māori advocates in prominent positions. “The fact that my existence triggers some people is testament to why we need more Māori advocates in key roles across every sector,” she said.
Kaipara’s composed response serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural pride and resilience. Her actions inspire others to embrace their identities with confidence and stand up against prejudice.
NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and His Brother Tragically Die: Details
Reports have stated that Johnny Gaudreau and his brother recently passed away. Details divulging the tragic news have been shared online.
NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were tragically killed after the two were struck down by a passing car in Oldmans Township at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evening, August 29. According to authorities, the brothers were riding bikes on a rural road in New Jersey called Stumpy Lane when the accident occurred.
Johnny’s hockey team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, posted a statement about his demise on X earlier today, August 30. The lengthy message notes how devastated and shocked the team is by the sad news.
Boasting about how incredible of a player and person Johnny was, their statement divulged, “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”
They go on to highlight how joyful Johnny would be in every game he played—a joy that was felt by everybody else who got to see the late star play. Johnny always brought his A-game and passion for the sport everywhere he went.
https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4474563764641079&output=html&h=280&adk=473385410&adf=1093907679&pi=t.aa~a.1381849204~i.3~rp.4&w=591&abgtt=6&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1725178374&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=2224412124&ad_type=text_image&format=591×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogerusa.com%2Fnhl-star-johnny-gaudreau-31-and-his-brother-tragically-die-details%2F&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=148&rw=590&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMC4zLjAiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMDkuMC41NDE0LjE2OCIsbnVsbCwwLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyJOb3RfQSBCcmFuZCIsIjk5LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJHb29nbGUgQ2hyb21lIiwiMTA5LjAuNTQxNC4xNjgiXSxbIkNocm9taXVtIiwiMTA5LjAuNTQxNC4xNjgiXV0sMF0.&dt=1725178374202&bpp=2&bdt=599&idt=2&shv=r20240828&mjsv=m202408270101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D3f2645567c3eb605%3AT%3D1725178333%3ART%3D1725178333%3AS%3DALNI_MY6GbXfXHxmefIvhGS1Hj5W4vRWLQ&gpic=UID%3D00000ee687861dce%3AT%3D1725178333%3ART%3D1725178333%3AS%3DALNI_MZKeuGwT1AgAbe3aWgzjskyaGrt7g&eo_id_str=ID%3D775b948784ba4e3d%3AT%3D1725178333%3ART%3D1725178333%3AS%3DAA-AfjZ7yqkk0Mu1Q6ZSkF_HXr72&prev_fmts=0x0&nras=2&correlator=719567802715&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=420&u_his=2&u_h=768&u_w=1360&u_ah=728&u_aw=1360&u_cd=24&u_sd=1&dmc=8&adx=92&ady=2005&biw=1065&bih=594&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C31086546%2C31086550%2C31086551%2C44795921%2C95338228%2C95338243%2C95341662%2C95340845%2C95341514%2C95341518&oid=2&pvsid=1595748330026523&tmod=1116881780&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fblogerusa.com%2Fnhl-star-johnny-gaudreau-31-and-his-brother-tragically-die-details-2%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawFBAStleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRfAvWncrTsM3D0haSjcmgNWqVi8dOnprC4Z56IvdecPCSo7rMX3lN-N7w_aem_7EKRKD96hOD7KNR6qPQWtA&fc=1408&brdim=161%2C14%2C161%2C14%2C1360%2C0%2C1098%2C714%2C1082%2C594&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1.01&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&ifi=2&uci=a!2&btvi=1&fsb=1&dtd=42
His hockey career took him from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets, where he served as the team’s winger.
“The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him,” mentioned the Columbus Blue Jackets in their statement.
The grieving team went on to reiterate how much the superstar athlete is missed by them and their community and ended their message by asking the public to pray for the Gaudreau family, who are dealing with an unimaginable loss.
The Columbus Blue Jackets also asked that the bereaved family’s privacy be respected. In the same way that Johnny’s hockey team shared a statement about his passing, the Commissioner of the NHL, Gary Bettman, shared some words about the tragedy as well.
https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4474563764641079&output=html&h=280&adk=473385410&adf=2470449073&pi=t.aa~a.1381849204~i.7~rp.4&w=591&abgtt=6&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1725178375&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=2224412124&ad_type=text_image&format=591×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogerusa.com%2Fnhl-star-johnny-gaudreau-31-and-his-brother-tragically-die-details%2F&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=148&rw=591&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMC4zLjAiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMDkuMC41NDE0LjE2OCIsbnVsbCwwLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyJOb3RfQSBCcmFuZCIsIjk5LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJHb29nbGUgQ2hyb21lIiwiMTA5LjAuNTQxNC4xNjgiXSxbIkNocm9taXVtIiwiMTA5LjAuNTQxNC4xNjgiXV0sMF0.&dt=1725178374214&bpp=2&bdt=612&idt=2&shv=r20240828&mjsv=m202408270101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D3f2645567c3eb605%3AT%3D1725178333%3ART%3D1725178333%3AS%3DALNI_MY6GbXfXHxmefIvhGS1Hj5W4vRWLQ&gpic=UID%3D00000ee687861dce%3AT%3D1725178333%3ART%3D1725178333%3AS%3DALNI_MZKeuGwT1AgAbe3aWgzjskyaGrt7g&eo_id_str=ID%3D775b948784ba4e3d%3AT%3D1725178333%3ART%3D1725178333%3AS%3DAA-AfjZ7yqkk0Mu1Q6ZSkF_HXr72&prev_fmts=0x0%2C591x280&nras=3&correlator=719567802715&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=420&u_his=2&u_h=768&u_w=1360&u_ah=728&u_aw=1360&u_cd=24&u_sd=1&dmc=8&adx=92&ady=2798&biw=1065&bih=594&scr_x=0&scr_y=500&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C31086546%2C31086550%2C31086551%2C44795921%2C95338228%2C95338243%2C95341662%2C95340845%2C95341514%2C95341518&oid=2&pvsid=1595748330026523&tmod=1116881780&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fblogerusa.com%2Fnhl-star-johnny-gaudreau-31-and-his-brother-tragically-die-details-2%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawFBAStleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRfAvWncrTsM3D0haSjcmgNWqVi8dOnprC4Z56IvdecPCSo7rMX3lN-N7w_aem_7EKRKD96hOD7KNR6qPQWtA&fc=1408&brdim=161%2C14%2C161%2C14%2C1360%2C0%2C1098%2C714%2C1082%2C594&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1.01&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=2&fsb=1&dtd=1784
He penned a lengthy message on the official Public Relations website page of the NHL that spotlighted the incredible legacy Johnny has left behind as one of the League’s “brightest young stars” during his impressive 11 seasons in the NHL.
https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4474563764641079&output=html&h=280&adk=473385410&adf=3116438239&pi=t.aa~a.1381849204~i.9~rp.4&w=591&abgtt=6&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1725178388&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=2224412124&ad_type=text_image&format=591×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogerusa.com%2Fnhl-star-johnny-gaudreau-31-and-his-brother-tragically-die-details%2F&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=148&rw=591&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMC4zLjAiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMDkuMC41NDE0LjE2OCIsbnVsbCwwLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyJOb3RfQSBCcmFuZCIsIjk5LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJHb29nbGUgQ2hyb21lIiwiMTA5LjAuNTQxNC4xNjgiXSxbIkNocm9taXVtIiwiMTA5LjAuNTQxNC4xNjgiXV0sMF0.&dt=1725178374224&bpp=1&bdt=622&idt=1&shv=r20240828&mjsv=m202408270101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D3f2645567c3eb605%3AT%3D1725178333%3ART%3D1725178333%3AS%3DALNI_MY6GbXfXHxmefIvhGS1Hj5W4vRWLQ&gpic=UID%3D00000ee687861dce%3AT%3D1725178333%3ART%3D1725178333%3AS%3DALNI_MZKeuGwT1AgAbe3aWgzjskyaGrt7g&eo_id_str=ID%3D775b948784ba4e3d%3AT%3D1725178333%3ART%3D1725178333%3AS%3DAA-AfjZ7yqkk0Mu1Q6ZSkF_HXr72&prev_fmts=0x0%2C591x280%2C591x280&nras=4&correlator=719567802715&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=420&u_his=2&u_h=768&u_w=1360&u_ah=728&u_aw=1360&u_cd=24&u_sd=1&dmc=8&adx=92&ady=3323&biw=1065&bih=594&scr_x=0&scr_y=1000&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C31086546%2C31086550%2C31086551%2C44795921%2C95338228%2C95338243%2C95341662%2C95340845%2C95341514%2C95341518&oid=2&pvsid=1595748330026523&tmod=1116881780&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fblogerusa.com%2Fnhl-star-johnny-gaudreau-31-and-his-brother-tragically-die-details-2%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawFBAStleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRfAvWncrTsM3D0haSjcmgNWqVi8dOnprC4Z56IvdecPCSo7rMX3lN-N7w_aem_7EKRKD96hOD7KNR6qPQWtA&fc=1408&brdim=161%2C14%2C161%2C14%2C1360%2C0%2C1098%2C714%2C1082%2C594&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1.01&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&ifi=4&uci=a!4&btvi=3&fsb=1&dtd=13977
“We send our most [heartfelt] condolences to his wife Meredith; their children, Noa and Johnny; his parents, Guy and Jane; and sisters Kristen and Katie,” wrote Gary at the end of his statement.
The devastating news of Johnny and Matthew’s passing comes after numerous reports had first announced that the accident had taken place. However, at the time, the two victims had not been identified as Johnny and Matthew yet.
A report from 6abc Action News discussed the scenario and divulged that the New Jersey State Police disclosed that the person who had been driving the vehicle that struck Johnny and Matthew had stayed on the scene after the accident. Authorities also shared that they believed the driver to be under the influence.
X was also ablaze with announcements about the accident. A woman named Elaine Shircliff posted, “Spoke with the New Jersey State Police and was informed they are getting bombarded with phone calls and cannot release any information at this time.”
She added that they could not confirm or deny the rumors that it was indeed Johnny and his brother who were the two victims.
However, on the same day Elaine tweeted her message, another X user named Steve Franklin shared an update of his own. In Steve’s update, he said that his brother, who is a police officer in Salem County, New Jersey, confirmed to him that it was the late NHL star and his brother who died.
After this tweet, Tim Peel, a retired NHL referee, took to X to say, “Reports are that Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed by a drunk driver [tonight]. Please pray that this is not true!”
Leave a Reply