Ta Moko by graemestevens

Ta Moko

This week in New Zealand the TPPA Trade Agreement was signed, without any public consultation what so ever. I have no desire to wade in to a political debate, but needless to say this has sparked wide ranging protests across the country. Last night, protestors (let's just call them arsonists though) set a massive fire on top of Paritutu Rock (which has featured in the majority of my beach shots).
This weekend is also Waitangi Weekend, meant to mark the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (injustices or not) and to commemorate & celebrate New Zealand and New Zealanders.
It seems to me that at this point in time that we are intent on ruining our own country with very little assistance from the outside world.
You look like a combination of The Cowardly Lion and The Wizard of Oz! Don't know if that was what you were aiming for, but I love it! :)
February 5th, 2016  
Although, you don't look cowardly. :)
February 5th, 2016  
This is excellent. fav.....
February 5th, 2016  
I want to read a novel with this as the cover.
February 5th, 2016  
@pandorasecho Thank you very much, try Once Were Warriors by Alan Duff ;)
@jack4john Thank you very much, appreciated
@kareenking Thanks - I think... ;)
February 5th, 2016  
Awesome effective work, me dig & fav
February 5th, 2016  
@susale Thank you very much :)
February 5th, 2016  
Graeme, you make me laugh. And, yes, it was a compliment. Just a first impression. I love it. :)
February 5th, 2016  
Wow !!
February 5th, 2016  
February 5th, 2016  
I was thinking you hadn't set fire to anything for a while. I assume you were suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
February 5th, 2016  
hot shot...fabulous processing...and great moko
February 5th, 2016  
Awesome shot and statement... It's a shame though... :(
February 5th, 2016  
Fabulous composite, wonderfully creative!!
February 5th, 2016  
@dh I wasn't me...not there anyway...
@maree_sanderson Thank you very much :)
@kerosene Thank you very much, and yes, "s shame" it is...and also very diplomatic. I feel a vigilante moment coming on ;)
@photographycrazy Thank you very much :)
February 5th, 2016  
Fantastic stuff. And I feel your pain over the "trade agreement" - we, the ordinary people, are getting stomped on by the wealthy and powerful the whole world over. :-(
February 5th, 2016  
@guysnape That we are - sooner or later something's got to give. And thank you
February 5th, 2016  
excellent work...
February 5th, 2016  
Awesome shot and processing. Fav (Stu)
February 5th, 2016  
Fierce processing! The flames give an excellent effect.
February 5th, 2016  
Oooo, 'ello - you've gone all native on us... but what a great way to express solidarity with ALL your fellow countrymen. I duly award you a Fav.
February 5th, 2016  
Jae
Yes! Fire! You're looking kinda tribal as well! He's back!
February 5th, 2016  
@graemestevens while I understand, please rethink that, as you cannot take, process, and post photos from jail :)
February 5th, 2016  
Hope you've got your fire extinguisher ready. You wouldn't want to burn those locks off!
February 5th, 2016  
Come to think of it, have you got any locks on your head?
February 5th, 2016  
@shepherdmanswife Good lord no, it's fast receding
@kerosene There is that...I'll wear a mask and sand off my fingerprints first...
@lifepause Thank you kindly - it may just be a short term return but I'll try...
@vignouse Thank you very much - personally I can't understand the infighting, you hit the nail on the head with one word - ALL
@rosiekerr Thank you very much :)
@pasttheirprime Thank you very much :)
@tellefella Thank you very much :)
February 5th, 2016  
Hope they'll settle whatever political issues or conflict you're having there-btw, this shot is HOT, dude!:)
February 5th, 2016  
@joemuli Thanks very much :)
February 6th, 2016  
TIPPA! Just don't get me started. We the population of the world, are all signing away our rights to everything...... without being asked if we agree or having any say in the decisions being taken. We are just cattle being milked by the corporate farmers. Time is long overdue for a revolution. :(
February 6th, 2016  
Sorry.... deep breath....... great shot. :)
February 6th, 2016  
@swillinbillyflynn Thanks very much - I've been taking deep breaths for a while now...
February 6th, 2016  
I've seen the movie made out of Once Were Warriors and it was excellent! I did not realize there was a book (I should have) but I will look it up. This image is also excellent, portrays your emotions about the politic state of your gov quite clearly. Something I can relate too (can we not talk about the joke of a presidential candidate named Trump)
February 6th, 2016  
@amandalockie Don't even get me started on Trump!!! And thank you very much - there's a follow up movie to Once Were Warriors, called What Becomes of the Broken Hearted (also a novel) that's worth a look.
February 6th, 2016  
Fabulous image.
Do you know Josie? http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35499554
February 6th, 2016  
@bill_fe Thanks - we've been laughing about that for the last 24 hours!
February 6th, 2016  
Sadly, don't know much about NZ politics but do like this shot a lot. People all over the world seem intent on ruining their own countries in order to gain some small temporary partisan advantage. It seems hard to understand such self centered shortsightedness but, judging from how wide spread the problem is, it seems it is almost an inbreed human urge.
February 6th, 2016  
@gardencat You're quite right - in all the countries that we've visited and lived in, it's the same. I can't understand why we just don't play nice...anyhoo, moving swiftly on, thank you very much!
February 6th, 2016  
Quite the hottie! Mesmerizing shot, Graeme! :)
February 6th, 2016  
@juliedduncan Thank you kindly :)
February 6th, 2016  
Very sad reading your commentary. The shot, however, is so dramatic and well framed with the fire.
February 6th, 2016  
Very intense shot with great processing which really captures your feelings about the current state of affairs. I like how you have managed to convey that. This really does look fabulous on black!
February 6th, 2016  
Very 'Feb 2016' i must say.... no one can accuse you of being behind the times!!!
February 6th, 2016  
Dude. Now you're scaring me!
February 6th, 2016  
Wowzer!
February 6th, 2016  
@kareenking that's what I thought at first glance hahahahahahaha
February 6th, 2016  
Excellent
February 6th, 2016  
Ah, politicians, different breed of people. We've got a Cameron here. Yuk. Great portrait to show your anger!
February 6th, 2016  
Lee
Fabulous shot and editing, this shot has such depth to it. And a great tribal element too. fav
February 6th, 2016  
Wow, so intense.
February 6th, 2016  
*sigh* ...I do like your homage to tribal art on your forehead, though.
February 6th, 2016  
@blueberry1222 Thanks very much
@kategoring Thank you kindly :)
@gamelee Thank you very much, much appreciated
@overalvandaan Ah yes, Mr. Cameron. He was in when we left....not that we left because of him.
@jeneurell Thanks very much :)
@annied Idiot. ;)
@dibzgreasley Thank you very much :)
@pixelchix Boo!
@alinz Thanks very much - I try...
@adayinmallacoota Thank you very much :)
@taffy Thanks very much :)
February 6th, 2016  
The Titanic heads for the iceberg, but they are so busy re-arranging the deckchairs that they can't see it. When they feel it strike they will commandeer all the lifeboats and the rest of us will be behind the locked gates down in steerage. Should we laugh, cry ... or shoot the bastards while we have got the chance?
February 6th, 2016  
Love the commentary. Did you get any pictures of the rock from the beach, with fire atop?
February 6th, 2016  
@ahleena We couldn't see it from home and I'd had 4 wines so was in no state to drive...not drive well anyway.
@yrhenwr There's a song by the Kaiser Chiefs with the line "they plan to evacuate the planet, one VIP at a time"...seems to ring true.
February 6th, 2016  
@graemestevens well i never!
February 6th, 2016  
Fantastic shot. Sad to hear we're not the only country heading towards these insane trade agreements
February 6th, 2016  
yes - it seems to be a fairly widespread thing - this business of setting out to ruin our own countries... which is why our leaders like to declare war on outsiders... common enemy uniting the brood an' all that... fierce image!
February 6th, 2016  
Fantastic processing - the muse is back I see...
February 6th, 2016  
Rest assured NZ is not alone. No consultation here either, and a lot of unhappy voters. You've excelled yourself with this shot, it's downright scary. But a fav anyway.
February 7th, 2016  
@golftragic Thank you very much - our honourable government even gave us a smoke screen of the "new flag debate" while they tried to sneak the TPPA through the back door...
@brett101 Temporarily I fear...we shall see. And thank you very much
@northy Thanks very much - there's nothing like a war to bring the people together against each other....
@rachelwithey You're definitely not alone...and thank you
@annied I've said it before and I'll say it again...you did...
February 7th, 2016  
Excellent and scary image. Yes, NZ is going down the gurgler. I'm sure Waitangi Day won't be any better.
February 7th, 2016  
awesome Graeme! fav
February 7th, 2016  
@888rachel Thanks very much :)
@tracie8266 Thank you very much :)
February 7th, 2016  
Fantastic photo to express your feelings.
February 7th, 2016  
Very Hakka like
February 7th, 2016  
great work on this
February 7th, 2016  
@jocasta Thanks very much :)
@neatz Thank you kindly :)
@kmrtn6 Thanks you very much :)
February 7th, 2016  
That sounds shit, but great photo, but buddy we know you so you can't look scary LOL!!!
February 9th, 2016  
@sjodell Ah, you found the hole in my cunning plan ;)
February 9th, 2016  
Love the intense eyes.
February 12th, 2016  
@gracefullyetched Thanks very much :)
February 12th, 2016  
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