The original Maori tattooing was a rite of passage. It used sharpened chisels made from albatross bone, and natural indelible ink. The process was long and painful. The traditional Maori tattoo has become synonymous with New Zealand tattoo. It is unique in appearance because the process calls for carving the skin, leaving it with grooves after healing.

How It Gained Popularity

Most New Zealand Tattoo styles are Maori tattoos, or at least inspired by them. Recent studies show that there is an ever-growing popularity of tattooing among New Zealander females than males. Another study claims that one out of every five adult New Zealander is tattooed.

This goes along with the fact that, while the males of the Maori declined in practicing facial tattoos during the mid-1900’s, the females continued to do so. The growing popularity seems to be focused on the younger generation, but a good number of older individuals also take part in the art-form.

New Zealanders, also called ‘Kiwis’, have such an affinity for tattoos since they see it as expressions of patriotism, as well as personal and cultural identity. Aside from the Maori tattoos, which are usually restricted only to those of Maori descent, Kiwis often choose patriotic designs for tattoos.

The map of New Zealand, striking and random designs and Maori inspired tattoos often make up the bulk of New Zealand tattoo designs. It is meant to show a rebellious attitude, often to conform to New Zealand stereotypes. It also shows affiliations and tastes. It is sometimes done for the sole purpose of social deviance and a display of rebellious attitude.

Another reason for the frequency and popularity of New Zealand tattoo is the ethnic group – Maori – that considers tattooing to be a sacred rite that connects them to their ancestors. The Maori have such close ties to the art of tattooing, which they call ta moko. For a Maori to not have one was seen as a disgrace.

The traditional methods of Maori tattooing have recently experienced a revival especially for those Maoris who seek to preserve their cultural heritage. The Maori have an established group that deals with the issues surrounding their art form, called Te Uhi a Mataora.
Despite its popularity, there seems to be a division between acceptance and disdain for tattoos in New Zealand. Some areas generally don’t mind tattooed individuals, but some are wary and even fearful of them; often associating tattoos with gangs and other criminal activity. Despite the mixed reception, tattooing still proves to be very popular in New Zealand.

Maori-tattoos are a distinct kind of tattoo found only in New Zealand. Their uniqueness, originality, as well as craftsmanship and history all contribute to its wide appeal and interest. For some people, getting these kinds of tattoos are not simply for aesthetic purposes. It is a spiritual journey of self-expression and discovery.
Zealand Tattoo can provide you a wide selection of designs that are not only limited to the Maori and Polynesian inspired tribal arts, but can also extend to other tattoo designs.

New Zealand Tattoo Is Symbolic

Due to the growing popularity of Maori tattoos, especially in its native country, New Zealand now has many tattoo shops which specialize not only in the general art of tattoos, but in the more complicated form of Maori tattoo design. Maori tattoos are not simply symbols tattooed onto skin. They are a kind of coded message that tells the story of the person who has the tattoo.

A typical Maori tattoo design is very complex, so it appeals to a large group of individuals. It is composed of variations of thick and thin lines, spirals and waves, as well as other minute designs interlaced with the general outline. Since it is tribal in nature, it is suited for any area of the body. The intricate appearance of the Maori tattoo also increases its impact. It’s hard to go wrong when choosing a Maori-design tattoo.

New Zealand Tattoo Is Diverse

You can generally get two kinds of Maori tattoos in New Zealand: the traditional one, and the modern adaptation. The traditional process of getting a Maori tattoo done by a tohunga moko, or moko specialist. It uses the original bone chisels and organic inks that the ancient Maori employed for their tattoos. It was a highly painful process which left grooves on the skin, making the end result very unique.

The modern process of Maori tattooing is no different from getting any other tattoo. Electronic tattoo needles are used, as well as modern indelible inks. It won’t hurt as much as the traditional method, but it will not leave grooves and indentations on the skin. There are many artists in New Zealand who will cater to your preferences.

New Zealand Tattoo Is Original

The reason for the popularity of the Maori design tattoo is partly due to its strong originality, as well as its cultural value. The Maori people have strong ties to their body art, since it symbolized a transition from youth to adulthood, as well as strength and beauty.

It is also popular due to the fact that it generally strikes curious and admiring reactions from people who see the tattoos. It also announces one’s identity as well as patriotism, if one is a local or a descendant of locals.

A deeper reason for the popularity of the Maori tattoo, especially among the Maori descendants, is because of the fact that it connects them deeper into their origins while the practice preserves the meaning and value of the tattoos in the present day.

New Zealand Tattoo Is The Best

Being the place of origin of the Maori tattoo, what better place to get it than in New Zealand? Of course, Maori tattoos are not the only tattoos done in New Zealand. Tattoos and body art are generally popular here, and since New Zealanders have been making and perfecting tattoo art for a very long time, you can be assured that it will have the stamp of quality on it.

Zealand Tattoo, not only specialises in Maori tattoos, but Japanese irezumi and other kinds of body art as well. We offer a wide selection of custom and original tattoos and offer quality service to meet your standards.

Know What You Want

Knowing what you really want to get inked is very important, because something that may appeal to you at first glance may be something you’ll grow tired of later on. You may find that a really cool design today will be nothing but a fad tomorrow.

To prevent this from happening, you might want to consider getting a tattoo that not only looks good, but carries some special significance for you. Choosing tattoos that have special meanings only strengthen their presence and purpose.

Planning where you want it will help ensure that you will have a tattoo that is best suited for that certain part of your body. It might help to show it off or hide it better. Whichever appeals to you, knowing where you want to have your tattoo done also lessens the risk of regretting it later.

Knowing where you want your tattoo to be done and who does it is just as important as choosing what kind of tattoo you want and where you want it. Factors like price, hygiene and sanitation, quality of work, and the popularity of the tattoo studio should help you decide. Zealand Tattoo has a excellent reputation and many testimonials of delighted customers.

Factors To Consider

Price
If you go into a tattoo shop that charges too much for what could otherwise be a very affordable tattoo, you might be better off finding another shop; unless you have money to spend, and you don’t mind spending it.

Hygiene and Sanitation
A more important factor would be the hygiene and sanitation of the shop. Since tattoos are performed by inserting needles into the skin to apply the design, it might carry the risks of contamination. STDs may be spread from an infected person to a healthy one if proper sanitation is not practiced in a tattoo shop.

You need to be sure that they use only disposable needles, and that their tools, as well as their workplace, is properly sterilized to avoid the risk of infection and contamination. You also need to be certain that the inks they use are hypoallergenic, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Quality and Excellence
Most of the time, popularity and quality walk hand-in-hand. If the shop is popular, it must be due to the excellent quality of work and outstanding service. If you want someone to do a tattoo for you, make sure you only get the best.

Professional Tattoo Artists
Having an exceptional tattoo artist design or execute your tattoo for you will make sure that you get quality work which will be both a pleasure and an asset to you. Never trust messy and inexperienced artists to do your tattoos. Zealand Tattoo has high-standards that will ensure your utmost satisfaction and safety.

Plan Ahead

Deciding when to get your tattoo is essential if you want the end-result to be good. If you plan on getting a tattoo before going to the beach the next day, it might not be a good idea. Always give your tattoos time to heal.

Getting your tattoos in winter will ensure good healing, since it will not be exposed to heat, wind, and dust – which might delay the healing process. Not exposing a new tattoo to the elements will also ensure that its design won’t be ruined.

You should not get a tattoo when you have alcohol in your system, since alcohol makes you bleed more. Bleeding might interfere with the end-result of your tattoo. Aside from that, it’s simply rude to go into a tattoo shop slightly disoriented and dazed. Remember to be courteous to the artist. Don’t boss them around. Be polite. The artist is after all responsible for the look of your tattoo. Knowing that, you wouldn’t want to piss him off now, would you?

It is also important to set a schedule. You just can’t go into a tattoo shop full of people and demand you get yours done as soon as possible. If you don’t like waiting in line, (and who does?) setting a schedule will allow the artists to give you the best service they can. If you don’t rush things, you’ll have better quality craftsmanship.

Be prepared for pain. Getting a tattoo will hurt, but since people have different thresholds for pain, it generally varies. The pain really isn’t so bad. But if you find sitting for an hour or so in a chair with a tattoo machine buzzing in your ears uncomfortable, you might want to re-think about getting one.

Lastly, caring for your tattoo after it’s done is a very important factor in making sure it doesn’t get ruined. Invest in some tattoo cream to quicken the healing during flaking periods. More importantly: never pick, scratch, or rub your tattoo vigorously. When you get your tattoo done by Zealand Tattoo, you get great information to make you more comfortable and to really look after your tattoo.

These tips, along with some common sense, are just some ways to decide on what you should do if ever you want to get a tattoo.

Finding The Best Tattoo Studio

Ask Around

This is a main rule, especially if you’re new to the place. Find recommendations from friends, ask them where they got their tattoos. Ask the locals if they could suggest some places that you can check out later.

Do Your Research

With the use of a computer, you really don’t have to spend a lot of time outside to look for good tattoo shops in New Zealand. Some of them have websites which usually contain all the info you need to know about the shop, the tattoos, and everything you might care to know.

Surfing the net allows you to save time, money, and is more convenient than walking or driving around from place to place. Some sites even leave their contact details, so you can give them a call or e-mail them if you any other concerns. Still, an online site can only have so much info, so, you should also…

Check The Place Out

To see for yourself if they meet your standards, and if what they state in their site or general info is the real deal. While there, you can look around, ask questions, and gather general impressions of the place and its staff.

Set An Appointment

If you like the place, and find their work to be exceptional, you can schedule an appointment. Setting an appointment ensures that you are given quality time for your money. It also allows the artist to give all of his effort and concentration on making your tattoo look good.

If possible, set an appointment to first discuss what design you’d like to have, where you’d like to have it, etc. Then set a final appointment for the tattooing itself. This will save you time, and will allow the artist to know what you really want and plan on the best course of action. This includes adjustments, custom designs, and other requests that you may have.

What The Best Tattoo Studio Should Have

Reputation

Quality of Sanitation

Tattooing carries a risk of STDs and other nasty things infecting you, and you wouldn’t want to catch any of those. When getting a tattoo, you should be well informed of the steps the shop you’ve chosen takes to ensure your safety.
Are their products well sterilized? Is the shop clean and tidy? Do they use disposable needles and tubes? Are the disinfectants they use tested and reliable? Do they have the proper tools needed to sterilize their instruments? Are the staff flawlessly clean? Is the procedure assuredly sterile? Is the process done in an orderly way?

These are just some of the questions that you need to clarify with the staff. Observe if they pass these standards, take note and ask questions regarding anything else needed to make sure of your safety.

Quality of Product / Skill of Artist

The skill of the artist often decides the end result of the product. You must be certain that the artists employed at the tattoo shop are able to do their jobs well. Better yet, they must be able to exceed expectations. Artists usually have portfolios that you can scan while browsing the shop. Be sure to study their work well, and never get a tattoo from an artist whose work doesn’t appeal to you.

Customer Friendliness

Good treatment is a factor that you should look out for if ever you decide to patronize a shop. A shop with friendly, warm, and hospitable staff often provide top-notch services.

Are the artists friendly? Are they easy to approach? Do they listen to suggestions? Are they courteous towards customers? These are some thing you need to keep in mind when looking for a good tattoo shop. An artist who is friendly and who is a good listener will more likely be able to give you better output, especially regarding custom-made designs.

The more friendly the staff are, the more comfortable you will be while you’re there.

Following these simple guidelines will guarantee that getting a tattoo in New Zealand or elsewhere will not only be a safe, but also an enjoyable experience!

Zealand Tattoo passes all of these requirements, and in fact excels in all of them. Zealand tattoo focuses on finding new and dynamic ways to create lasting and timeless tattoo art, and cater to people people from various walks of life. We specialise in Maori-designed tattoos, Japanese tattoos, and ornamental tattoos. Our founder Zane Swanston – has more than 22 years of experience under his belt and his work will be sure to please and impress customers and admirers alike.

Must Have Lasting Appeal

Let’s face it, there are just some designs that call out to us. It might be just another image for someone else, but it might have qualities in it which appeal to you personally. It is rare for a person to get a tattoo that doesn’t appeal to him or her, because no one would want to mess up their body with something they don’t even want to be there.

If the design you’ve chosen for a tattoo has lasting appeal, that is, if you know you’ll never get tired of seeing it on your skin until you grow old, then you should go for it.

Must Have Meaning

Most people who get tattoos often choose tattoos that hold some special symbolic meaning to them. This gives the tattoo an added sense of intimacy, worth, and sentiment. Whether its the initials of your parents, your kid, your significant-other, or simply a meaningful image – getting a tattoo imbued with meaning ensures that you won’t get tired of it any time soon.

Just steer clear of boyfriend or girlfriend initials, cause you might regret getting that after the harsh and painful break-up.

Must Have A Purpose

Whether you’re getting a cosmetic tattoo like permanent make-up, or if you’re trying to cover an unsightly birthmark, having a purpose for a tattoo is often a way to determine if it’s meant to stay for good, or if you’ll grow bored of it later.

Some people get tattoos that have religious or mystical significance, such as passages or symbols of protection, good-health, luck, or long-life. This not only adds to the mysterious appeal of the tattoos, but also often provides some sense of comfort or well-being. If something has a significant purpose you will never grow tired of it.

Must Be In The Right Place

Some people, for various reasons, like to display their tattoos. Still, there are others who don’t. Whichever type you belong to, you have to decide if your tattoo is something you’d like everyone to see or not.

For example, facial tattoos might be frowned upon at the work-place while body tattoos, which can easily be hidden by clothing, might simply go unnoticed unless you take off your clothes. It’s important to know where you want it not only for the sake of aesthetics, but for convenience as well.

If it is your decision to display your tattoos, its appeal must be taken into consideration. Does the image show off best when on your arm? If it’s a particularly large image, would it look best on your back or your chest? Can it be easily seen and admired? Do you want it to be visible even from afar or not? Will it look best in plain black or with a bit of color?

Proper positioning of the tattoo will make or break it, so you must decide where you precisely want it. If you are still unsure, asking for suggestions from your tattoo artist might help you decide.

Must Be Appreciated

Part of the pleasures of getting a tattoo is when someone admires it. Is the tattoo you plan on having of the kind that would evoke a good response? Will it be appreciated by others if ever they see it? It really bums us out if a tattoo that we like is met with distaste. It makes us feel bad about getting it.

If you want a tattoo that will evoke admiration from others, make sure that it is has appeal and impact. Sometimes, getting lewd tattoos aren’t such good ideas. But getting tattoos with unique and eye-catching designs will guarantee you admirers. Admit it, when someone admires your tattoos, it adds to the coolness factor.

Getting and having a tattoo should be enjoyable and fulfilling, most especially since you’re putting it on your own skin. Tattoos make a statement about someone’s personality or tastes. It is a reflection of a person. Zealand Tattoo can help you choose what to get and make the right decision.

Tattoo Designs According To Themes

Armband Tattoos
As the name implies, they are often tattooed around the arm. Most armband tattoo designs come in the form of thorns, interlacing knots and other images that are made to look like an intertwining bracelet or band.

Black Light Tattoos
This new type of tattoo is done by the use of ink that glows under a black light. This has become quite famous recently, although there are still uncertainties to its permanence in the tattoo scene.

Abstract Tattoos
These kinds of tattoos are mostly a return to earlier, simpler forms of tattooing. They are sometimes simply a pattern of shapes, or a collection of symbols. Sometimes, abstract tattoos can be found as textual tattoos. Textual tattoos use letters such as Chinese or Japanese symbols, or Old English lettering for their design.

Naturalistic Tattoos
Naturalistic tattoos often are highly detailed. It is comprised mostly of portraits and realistic artwork, focusing mainly on Native American subjects, natural subjects, or religious ones.

Dedication or Pledge Tattoos
These are very common designs, which often involve the use of images such as anchors, military insignias, and other symbols associated with nautical and military themes.

Simple Tattoos
Simple tattoos are really just that – simple stylised designs. There really is no limit when it comes to the design, and it can come in a myriad of sizes and colours. Most designs are often iconic characters, or simplified animal shapes. Zodiac symbols as well as mythological ones are also popular.

Complex Tattoos
As the name suggests, complex tattoos are composed of more intricate designs. Often a combination of many styles, complex tattoos can be compared to a collage pattern. Still, less random complex designs involve tattooing large areas of the body with a specific kind of design only. The most popular example of this would be Japanese Irezumi tattoos.

Tattoo Designs According To Origins

Tattoos come in a myriad of designs, and are often based from older, ethnic designs. Some tattoo designs correspond with a certain country, group, culture, or interest. A few examples of common tattoo designs are:

Tribal Tattoos
This kind of tattoo design encompasses a variety of styles. The most common tribal tattoo designs are often abstract, monochromatic patterns made up of thick curves or waves with pointed ends.

Celtic Tattoos
These kinds of tattoos originated with a tribe of warriors from an old area of France, called Gaul. Their intricate and interlocking designs, composed of symmetrical and interweaving knot-work are highly popular due to their structured pattern. More abstract Celtic designs often involve animal icons, still bearing the trademark woven or interlocking design, often accentuated with leaves, vines, or flowery designs.

Mayan Tattoos
The Mayans were an ancient culture who once occupied a large area of Mesoamerica. Their tattoo designs often incorporate minute and intricate detail and rich shading. Most of the subjects for Mayan tattoos are divine figures or symbols. The Maya is a civilisation wrapped in mystery, which adds to the appeal of their tattoos.

Aztec Tattoos
The Aztecs are the indigenous people of Mexico. Their art-form is somewhat similar to the Mayans. Solid, thick lines, curves, as well as various degrees of shading give a really graphic feel to Aztec tattoos. Since the Aztecs often carved their symbols on stone, an Aztec-pattern tattoo might appear like a carved symbol on skin. Like the Mayans, the subjects chosen for Aztec tattoos are mostly divine figures.

Irezumi Tattoo
Irezumi is the classical Japanese type of tattooing. It is a highly detailed pattern that most commonly comes in color. The subjects are often found in nature, such as flowers, leaves, and waves. They are interwoven with figures such as fish, traditional Japanese characters like samurai warriors, dragons or demons.

The patterns created on both the figures, such as those in armor or fish scales, coupled with the pattern of the fillers, like leaves, waves, or flowers, create a highly intricate and eye-catching piece of art. Irezumi are often large. They sometimes take up the whole back-area, or chest area. Traditional Irezumi cover the arms, back, chest, and upper legs of the subject. Blue, green, and yellow are predominant colors in Irezumi.

Old School Tattoos
Old school tattoos are classic, colourful tattoos which incorporates simple designs. They are predominant in America. Most designs include stars, skulls, crosses, beautiful women, hearts, and knives. They are popular with bikers, gamblers, and grease-monkeys.

New School Tattoos
New School is a variance of Old School tattoos, which is more detailed and realistic than old school. Symbols, icons, and themes from pop culture are generally incorporated into New School. Oftentimes,  New School tattooing appears multi-cultural.

Gothic Tattoos
The Gothic subculture appeared in Europe during the late 20th century. Much of their art and symbolism often incorporate dark and grim motifs, as well as arcane and mysterious symbols. Gothic tattoo designs were created to cater to the symbolism that the Gothic subculture prefers. The designs often combine medieval imagery, magic symbols, and pagan motifs to create a highly detailed style.

Most Popular Designs
The most popular tattoo designs are tribal tattoos, old school patterned tattoos, Maori tattoos, Celtic knotwork, crosses, skulls, nautical symbols, and hearts. Chinese and Japanese characters are also popular designs.

More complicated tattoo designs that have proven to be highly popular are angel or cherub designs, wings, and dragons. Japanese body-suit tattoos, although expensive, is highly popular to western customers.

Tattoo Designs To Avoid

Genitalia and Pornographic Images
Getting these as tattoos is not a good idea. It will make you seem perverted, especially if it is easily seen. And even if it were hidden, it is embarrassing to show such tattoos. It will only make people think you have bad taste.

Faces and Initials of Boyfriends or Girlfriends
Love does not last forever, but tattoos do. Almost. You don’t want to be carrying around permanent a reminder of a really bad relationship. And your new partner won’t like being reminded of it either.

Company Brands and Logos
Our highly industrialised and commercialised culture is already full of advertisements as it is. You would not want to add more to it by being a walking billboard.

Poorly Drawn or Uninteresting Images
A shabby tattoo will only cause regret. Not only will people tease you for it, you’ll also regret wasting money in getting it. If you ever want a tattoo, make sure to have only the best, and make sure its something you’re sure you can live with for good.

Quality Tattoo Designs

Aesthetic Appeal
The design that you choose should be something that you like, and something that looks pleasing for both you and those who will see it. You should also ensure it looks good on you.

Sentimental Value
The design you choose should have some meaning to it, which gives it more value and purpose.

Audience Impact
Your tattoo should have the wow factor. This allows a wide range of people to appreciate your tattoo, which makes you enjoy having it more.

Zealand Tattoo has a wide range of selections available for you, it should not be so hard to find something that suits you just right. Choose you tattoo design well before getting inked – and enjoy!

Tattoo Art Is An Expression

The establishments who cater to tattoo enthusiasts have now greatly evolved from the once low and unhygienic places they once were to these modern facilities resembling clinics. The new tools that have been made for the purpose of tattooing has opened up a wider field of choices in degrees of detail and accuracy of design. The wider variety of inks and shades available also add to the near limitless possibilities that tattoo art offers.

When in the past tattoo art was shabbily done, tattoo shops nowadays have a set of standards that set them apart from the tattoo designs of the past. Where tattoos were simply random marks that were ascribed a certain meaning or simply done for no particular reason, now people tend to approach tattoo art as they would gallery paintings. They now seek to create an over-all aesthetic appeal to tattoos.

In fact, many people who pursue careers in art often take up tattooing. Tattoo art is simply another medium that artists use, and instead of paint on canvas, they now use ink on skin. Tattoo art has also contributed largely to the growing revival in the interest of ancient artwork. Oftentimes this interest is cross-cultural, and the tattoo-art of different cultures are often incorporated in mainstream body art today.

Tattoo Art Is An Identity

A good example of the growing interest in multi-cultural designs can be seen in the growing popularity of Celtic, Mayan, Azetec, and Incan-inspired body art. Tattoo art is not only limited to bold and iconic designs, but includes intricate and complicated designs such as Egyptian, Hindu, and Oriental artwork as well as free-form and abstract designs. A growing interest in tribal body art has also made tattoos designs inspired by the Maori, Haida, and Native Americans highly sought after.

Another side of the cross-cultural interest is in the people who engage in tattoo art themselves. Subjects and artists alike come from various walks of life. They encompass every race, belief, and gender. This wholeness serves to connect many different people, and provides a sense of belonging to some. Still, for some others, it provides a sense of uniqueness to one’s identity.

Tattoo Art Is A Masterpiece

Tattoo art is set apart from casual tattoos for the amount of detail and over-all artistic appeal that it gives off. Body art is literally an attempt at using your own skin as the canvas to create a masterpiece. Most often, themes that have a certain degree of wholeness are chosen for body art. The appearance of wholeness creates more of a striking impact.

Usually, large areas of the body are used to create a single tattoo art. The larger area needed allows for the incorporation of more detail. Since the intention of tattoo art is to create engaging masterpieces, attention to proportion, detail, and aesthetic appeal are often stressed.

Tattoo art is diverse which makes it alluring to so many people. The designs that make up a typical tattoo art often carry multiple symbolic meanings which often calls for a close study of the symbols or images involved. It is not only the personality that is sometimes reflected in tattoo art, but the sub-conscious ideas of a person as well.

Tattoo Art Is For Everybody

Tattoo art caters to a lot of different people, but a recent study has shown that women are more likely to get tattoos than men. Although it is commonly thought that tattoos are a masculine thing, more and more women take part in it. The popularity of tattoo art is not also limited to social deviants, as stereotypes would often suggest. A great number of highly successful professionals enjoy the art form and take part in it.

The general stereotypes that was once attributed to tattooed people are no longer generally applied. Although some people still have prejudices against tattooed people, it is simply due to the negative comparisons generated by a biased and outdated way of thinking. The majority of tattooed people are not really part of gangs, not really convicts or criminals, and they are not really going to become such things. They are simply artistic people who relish in expressing themselves freely.

Tattooing is both a fast spreading art-form as well as a growing business that caters to millions of people from all walks of life. Tattoo art has risen from its days of scorn, to once again be accepted in mainstream society as valuable symbols of identity and freedom of expression.Zealand Tattoo make new designs and revise old ones to constantly provide varied and engaging choices for tattoo art enthusiasts.

The Maori are an indigenous Polynesian people found in New Zealand. They have a form of body art, known as moko, more commonly known as Maori tattooing. The art form was brought by the Maori from Polynesia. This art is considered highly sacred, and continues to be highly revered.

Since the Maori consider the head to be the most sacred part of the body, the most popular kind of Maori tattoo was the facial tattoo, which was composed of curved shapes and spiral patterns. It often covered the whole of the face, and was a symbol of rank, social status power, and prestige.

The Maori tattoo is one of a kind, and no two tattoos are alike. It is highly intricate and detailed, which displays the craftsmanship and artistry of the Maori culture.

For the Maori, tattooing was a rite of passage, which meant it was highly ritualized. Maori tattooing would usually begin during adolescence, and would be continually performed to celebrate important events throughout a person’s life.

The Maori ‘tattoo artist’ is called the tohunga-ta-moko, which means moko specialist. These tattooists are highly respected, and considered tapu, inviolable and holy. Tohunga-ta-moko are mostly men, but there are also some women who take up the practice.

Maori Tattoo Is Complex

Maori tattoo did not involve the use of needles. Rather, the Maori used knives and chisels made from shark’s teeth, sharpened bone, or sharp stones. The chisel, also called the uhi, is made from albatross bone, although some chisels are said to be made of iron. Knives and chisels were either plain and smooth, or serrated, and these were used interchangeably depending on the intended pattern.

The inks that were employed to do a Maori tattoo were made from natural products. Burnt wood was used to create black pigments, while lighter pigments were derived from caterpillars infested with a certain type of fungus, or from burnt Kauri gum mixed with animal fat. The pigment was stored in ornate containers called oko, which became family heirlooms. Oko are often buried when not in use.

The black pigment made from burnt wood was reserved for facial tattoos, while those made from the caterpillars or burnt Kauri gum were used for outlines and other less important tattoos. Before beginning, the tohunga-ta-oko would study the person’s facial structure to decide on the most appealing design. No two tattoos are alike.

Maori Tattoo Is A Challenging Pain

Having a Maori tattoo was a very painful one, and was done by first incising deep cuts into the skin. The chisel is dipped into the pigment and tapped into the cuts. Another process involved dipping the chisel into the jar of pigment and inserting it into the skin by striking the end with a mallet. This manner of tattooing leaves the skin with grooves after healing, instead of the usual smooth surface found in needle-point tattoos.

Maori tattoo was a long and labor-intensive process. Because it was very painful, only a few parts of the body were tattooed at a time to allow for healing. There are two designs for the Maori tattoos: The normal design only involved the blackening of the lines. The second called for blackening the background and leaving the lines clear – this was called puhoro. Maori tattooing often done during the winter seasons.

Maori Tattoo Is Sacred

Due to the sacred nature of the Maori tattoo, those who were undergoing the process, and those involved in the process, could not eat with their hands or talk to anyone aside from other people being tattooed. Those who were receiving the tattoos made it a point to not cry out from the pain, because to do so would be a sign of cowardice. Being able to withstand the pain was also an issue of pride among the Maori.

Prohibitions, especially for the facial tattoos, often involved abstinence from sexual intimacy while undergoing the rite, and abstaining from solid food. In order to meet these requirements, the person receiving a facial tattoo was fed from a wooden funnel to prevent foodstuffs from contaminating the swollen skin. A person would be fed in this manner until all the facial wounds healed.

The face would bleed and often swell up after a session so the leaves of the Karaka tree were often used as balms to hasten the healing process. The tattooing was often accompanied by music, singing, and chanting to help soothe the pain.

The main focus of Maori tattoo was mostly the face. Men have full facial tattoos, while women only tattoo their chin, lips, and nostrils. Some Maori also tattoo other parts of their body, such as the back, buttocks, and legs. Women are also known to tattoo their arms, neck, foreheads and thighs.

Maori Tattoo Is A Social Status

Only people or rank and status were allowed to have, and could afford to have, tattoos. A person who did not have any high-ranking social status, such as a slave, could not have a face tattoo. Those who had the means to get a tattoo but did not were seen as people of lower social status.

The Maori face tattoo was not only seen as a sign of rank, but was also used as a kind of identification card. For men, their face tattoo showed their accomplishments, status, position, ancestry, and marital status, among other things. It is considered highly insulting to be unable to recognize a person’s power and position by his moko.

The male facial moko or tattoo is generally divided into eight sections of the face:

The center of the forehead, called the Ngakaipikirau, designated a person’s general rank. The area around the brows, called Ngunga, designated his position. The area around the eyes and the nose, called the Uirere, designated his hapu, or sub-tribe rank. The area around the temples, called Uma, served to detail his marital status, like the number of marriages.

The area under the nose, known as Raurau displayed his signature. This signature was once memorized by tribal chiefs who used it when buying property, signing deeds, and officiating orders. The cheek area, called Taiohou, designated the nature of the person’s work. The chin area, called Wairua, showed the person’s mana or prestige. Lastly, the jaw area, or Taitoto, designated a person’s birth status.

A person’s ancestry is indicated on each side of the face. The left side is generally the father’s side, and the right side was the mother’s. Noble or high descent was a primary requirement before a moko was undertaken.

If one side of a person’s ancestry was not of rank, the corresponding side of the face would not have any design tattooed on it. And if the person undertaking the moko has no rank, or is not heir to any, the center of the forehead would have no design.

Maori Tattoos Is The Art

By the middle of the 19th century, full facial moko for men declined in frequency, but moko for women persisted throughout the 20th century. Since the 1990’s, the Maori tattoo has experienced a comeback, often being done with the use of modern tattoo machines.

Since tribal-pattern tattoos are growing in popularity, more and more non-Maori are copying original designs and incorporating it in their own art. Most of these modern-Maori tattoos use tattoo needles, rather than the traditional tools used for ta moko.

The Maori have revived the old methods of tattooing, in an effort to preserve their cultural heritage. Both men and women have now become more involved in the traditional practice. The art organization known as Te Uhi a Mataora was recently established by traditional Maori practitioners.

Te Uhi a Mataora envisions the retention and further development of Ta Moko as a living art form. Their main concern is the growing practice of ta moko by non-Maori. They strive to propagate the art-form by reviving old traditions and preserving original methods and designs. They also inform others that Maori tattooing is a cultural symbol, and should not be adopted lightly.

If you are a non-Maori who admires their tattoos and wants to have one done, it is advisable to seek out a Maori tattoo artist which sufficient knowledge in ta moko. He will be able to design a Maori patterned tattoo custom-made for you, without traditional patterns or symbolism exclusive only to the Maori.

Tattooing is a form of art that has been practised by various cultures since the prehistoric times. It is done by piercing or lacerating the skin with a sharp object that has been dipped into indelible ink or dye. The dyes have ranged from plant extracts, powdered ores, and even ashes.

This changes the pigment of the skin, and is done so for decorative, cosmetic, or practical reasons. The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word ‘tautau’. It’s modern phraseology was first coined by the naturalist Joseph Banks, who referred to it as ‘tattow’.

Banks was a naturalist aboard the ‘Endeavour’, led by Captain James Cook. The word ‘tattow’ itself might have been Banks’s and consecutively, Cook’s adaptation of the native word ‘tautau’. Primitive cultures use tattoos not only for decorative purposes, but also to designate rank and status. Some are done for religious and mystical purposes, while others are applied as markers for social outcasts, slaves, or convicts.

The History of the Maori Tattoo

The art of the Maori tattoo was brought by the Maori to New Zealand from their homelands in Eastern Polynesia. In 1769, Captain James Cook and the naturalist Joseph Banks first saw the intricate tattoos of the Maori tribesmen during their voyage to the South Pacific, and became fascinated and intrigued by it.

The Maori name for tattoos, particularly facial tattoos are ‘moko’, and the process of making it is called ‘ta moko’. Since the Maori kept no written records, the exact date or time that the Maori adopted the art of tattooing is still uncertain. What we do know, however, is that Abel Tasman and his crew, who were the first to reach New Zealand in 1642, did not see any tattooed Maoris at that time.

It is probable that the Maori adopted the art much later, inspired perhaps by other kinds of Polynesian body art, prior to the arrival of Cook in 1769. Another possibility suggests that the Maori tattoo was simply brought to New Zealand from Polynesia rather than being developed separately, and was simply not in main-stream practice when Tasman arrived. By that time Cook arrived though, ta-moko had become an integral part of Maori culture.

The Maori often took tattooed heads of their enemies as trophies during war, and kept them in ornate ceremonial boxes as symbols of power, conquest, and protection. During the first decade of the 19th century, Europeans made regular contact with Maori tribes. A group of missionaries later decided to convert the Maoris in 1814, taking with them one chief named Hongi, who was brought with them to England.

While there, he worked with an Oxford professor to write a bilingual dictionary and translate the Bible into the Maori language. He was granted an audience with King George IV of England, and was presented with trunk-loads of gifts as a reward for his evangelical efforts.

Hongi exchanged his gifts for a number of muskets and an ample supply of ammunition at Sydney; and upon his return to New Zealand, he used the weapons to launch a series of raids against enemy tribes. The Maoris later discovered that Europeans would trade weapons for tattooed heads.

Soon, Maoris would raid neighbouring tribes for the sole purpose of obtaining tattooed heads, which would be traded for guns and more ammunition. The traders then sold those heads to museums and private collectors in select areas of Europe. Ever desperate for more weapons, the Maoris soon beheaded slaves and commoners who were captured in battle, and tattooed their heads. Often, even heads of poor quality or unfinished tattooing were still offered for sale.

One of the most noted collectors of tattooed heads was Major General Horatio Robley, who, in his lifetime, acquired some 35 tattooed heads. Today, 30 out of the 35 heads in his collection can be found in the Natural History Museum of New York. Major General Robley also published a book entitled Moko, or Maori Tattooing, which gave extensive details on the process and meaning of Maori tattoo designs.

The Maori Tattoo Legend

A less historical explanation for the origin of the Maori tattoo can be found in the local legend which suggests that ta moko, the Maori tattoo, came from the underworld, called Uetonga. The legend states that there was a young warrior called Mataora, who fell in love with the princess of the underworld – called Niwareka. Niwareka came above-ground to marry Mataora.

However, Mataora mistreated Niwareka, which made her return to the underworld. Mataora, sick with guilt, pursued Niwareka to the underworld, only to be greeted by Niwareka’s relatives, who laughed at his ragged appearance and smudged face-paint.

Mataora apologized before Niwareka’s family, and this act won Niwareka back. Before returning above-ground, it was said that Niwareka’s father, the king of the underworld, taught Mataora the art of ta moko. Mataora brought back these skills to his people, and that was how the Maori came to have their distinct type of tattoo.

Despite the little amount of information that we have on the origins of the Maori tattoo, it has a rich recorded history. Several books have been published about the subject of Maori tattoos since the first time Europeans saw it. The books, such as those by Major General Robley, Michael King, and John Rutherford have helped in preserving the significance and interest in Maori tattoos. The lack of definite origins seems to add more mystique to this already captivating form of early art. Perhaps it is that mystery which has made the Maori tattoo endure.