Fourth, everything is political. Prime Minister John Key is not only asked to comment on the poor victim's plight but does: "I guess it's a matter for them. I don't know why they chose to do that but tattoos are pretty common these days."
Key declared he didn't believe the traditional motif would put off tourists.
All decisions now are appealable to the Prime Minister. His quick public comment gave Air NZ a very clear steer.
Fifth, we are no longer hidebound by law and precedent. The Human Rights Tribunal adjudicated a similar case just two years ago. They found that a company asking a staff member to cover her ta moko was within the law.
That's because the request concerned the tattoo and tattoos aren't unique to Maori.
But that's the law and how it was decided two years ago. We have moved on. It's not our fault if the law can't keep up.
That, too, is liberating. Finally, we must be proud that we now forge ahead with our values and norms irrespective of others. Airlines such as Qantas, British Airways, Delta and Emirates prohibit cabin crew exposing tattoos.
That's because big chunks of the world's people are uncomfortable with tattoos up close.
Even the mighty All Blacks had to cover their tattoos when training in swimming pools in Japan.
But those troubled by tattooed cabin crew can fly on other airlines. We don't care.
We now get to decide our own standards of presentation and behaviour.
If others don't like it, apparently that's their problem. They should learn some manners.
Debate on this article is now closed.
