Meet Whitu: Sunset Tattoo's Tā Moko Artist

A couple of months ago, we welcomed Te Whitu Kahurangi Hotere to the Sunset Tattoo whānau, and it's about time we introduced him properly!

Whitu was born and raised in Manurewa, South Auckland. His path into tā moko didn't start with a tattoo machine, it started with wood. He's spent years learning under experienced kaiwhakairo (traditional Māori carvers), including Jay Rawiri Mason and Bobby Te Huia, alongside formal study at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. That grounding in whakairo — the knowledge, the research methods, the way patterns carry meaning — is something he's carried straight into his tattooing, just embedded in skin instead of wood.

Whitu specialises in tā moko and kirituhi, using traditional Māori patterns and motifs to tell stories of culture, ancestry, tribal affiliation, and personal journeys of self-discovery. He works with both Māori and tauiwi clients, and every piece he does carries that same intention — nothing is just decoration.

He's been immersed in his own mahi toi (art practice) for over 10 years now, with 5–6 years specifically in tattooing, including the last year working in a professional studio setting. All of that experience shows in the way he approaches each design — considered, researched, and deeply personal.

We're stoked to have him as part of the studio, and even more stoked to share what he's been creating since he got here. If you're interested in a tā moko or kirituhi piece with Whitu, get in touch with the studio to start the conversation!