The Great Auckland Flash Party 2018

The Great Auckland Flash Party is here again, and this year is our biggest year yet!

2018 sees an incredible line-up of some of the best traditional tattoo artists and leading innovators in the New Zealand tattoo scene.

What is it?

The Great Auckland Flash Party is fast becoming a tradition in the Auckland Tattooing scene. Some of the best tattoo artists from New Zealand and around the world come together for two days of tattoo madness, right here at Sunset.

How does it work?

Each artist will put a variety of fresh new line drawings up in the shop, with special one-time only, lower than usual pricing. Walk in on the day, pick a design, and get it done. Bam!

There are no bookings, that’s what makes the event so special - it’s first come first served! We have hundreds of line drawings to choose from, so come early and get a bargain with our special Flash Party prices!

When is it?

This year the Great Auckland Flash Party is being held on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th of April. Doors open at 11am so come in early to secure a spot.

How much is it?

will range from around $100-$300. Some of these artists are booked months ahead or live in different cities, so it’s a great opportunity to get an affordable, one-off tattoo from one of your favourite artists.

Who’s going to be there?

We have some of the very best tattoo artists in the country ready and willing to give you a design you’ll love for ever.

The team from Sunset will be there of course, including TomTom, Capilli Tupou, Tristan, Magali, and Mash Primrose.

Daniel Octoriver from Goodluck Tattoo in Melbourne will be crossing the Tasmin for the Party, as will Adrian Hing, Sashimi roll, and Moses Mezoghlain.

Other artists from around New Zealand will be heading to Auckland, including Sam Carter from Gypsy Kidds in Napier, Steve Wood and Graeme Allan from Sacred Tattoo and our good friend Jacob Cross.

For two days only we have hundreds of designs at special flash day prices!

Don’t forget to check out our Instagram for daily posts of our guest artists work! @sunset_tattoo_nz

Take home the perfect souvenir with a Maori tattoo

New Zealand is a natural wonderland. From the glaciers and snow-capped mountains of the South Island, up to the rolling hills and sub-tropical rainforests of the North Island, there are very few, if any countries which can match us for our diverse landscape. It's no wonder that when people visit Aotearoa, they often stay, or at the very least, bring a piece back in their hearts.

It's no surprise then that we attract millions of tourists each year: over three million last year alone. Bearing in mind that New Zealand only has a population of 4.5 million, that's two thirds of the country! From adventure seekers to Lord of the Rings enthusiasts, to thousands of globe-trotting backpackers, New Zealand lives long in the memory of many, many people.

Many of these tourists want something to remember their amazing trip by, and they need something more sentimental than a stuffed Kiwi. That's where Sunset Tattoo come in. A Maori tattoo is the perfect memento of New Zealand. It's a unique part of our culture, signifies a special time in your life, and of course, looks fucking awesome. 

Tristan is our resident artist who specialises in Maori tattoos and Pacifica designs. Being Maori himself, and studying at the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, he understands the meaning, complexity and history behind genuine Maori tattoos. If you're interested in an authentic Maori tattoo, then this is the man to talk to.

If you would like to request a booking or consultation you can send us an email, call us, or pop into the studio. Please note that some of our tattoo artists are booked up for weeks so it pays to book in advance if you have a specific date in mind that you want to be tattooed on. As for consultations, they usually take around 10-20 minutes and are free of charge. For Maori tattoo design, there's simply no one better to come to.

Classic tattoos: The Anchor Tattoo

Anchor tattoos go back to even before the original tattooing era of the late 1800s, and their popularity has never waned, still being hugely popular today.

Sailors

Anchor tattoos were made popular by sailors and fishermen, and were often paired with mermaids, fish, sharks, nets, or boats. Basically anything to do with the sea.

The anchor was chosen over other parts of the ship because of what it represents; safety. You only drop anchor once you make it to port. Many sailors will get an anchor tattoo after crossing the Atlantic for the first time as a traditional “right of passage”.

For some, the anchor tattoo can be used to commemorate the end of a sailor’s career as he sets his anchor down for the last time.

Symbolism of the anchor tattoo

As a tattoo, the anchor goes back a couple of hundred years, but as a symbol, it goes back thousands.

In the early days of Christianity, many believers were persecuted by the Romans, and so the anchor was used as a symbol of faith, instead of the more noticeable cross.

The religious use of the anchor is called “Crux Dissimulata” and was used to decorate Christian buildings to mark them as safe houses for fellow Christians seeking refuge. Anchor symbols can still be seen to be decorating some ancient buildings and Christian catacombs to this day.

Today, the anchor represents strength and stability, with many people having “family” inscribed along with it, or the name of a special someone.

Come see us for an Anchor tattoo

If you want a classic traditional anchor tattoo, then come see the amazing artists at Sunset Studio. We’ve got plenty of ideas for you to have a look at with our flash cards, or you can simply have a chat about what you want and we’ll take it from there.

We’re one of the most respected and hygienic tattoo studios in Auckland, with a friendly and professional customer service.

Give us a shout today and lets drop anchor on your tattoo!

Eternal Ink's latest colour range

Sunset Tattoo are the proud official New Zealand suppliers of the world-famous Eternal Ink.

Made from organic pigments, de-ionized water and hamamelis water, Eternal Ink is free of animal by-products and even suitable for vegans.

Arriving in a sealed, medical grade bottle, ensuring hygiene, the ink pigments are regularly tested and comply with all New Zealand health and safety regulations.

Eternal Ink is not tested on animals, so there’s no guilty conscious tagging along with every purchase. Check out our sister site Tattoo Station for all your Eternal Ink supplies.

Eternal Ink colour sets

Liz Cook

The amazing Liz Cook created this palette of colours. The set features a vibrant collection of rich violets and some eye-catching greens.

Seasonal Spectrum

Chucks Seasonal Spectrum Series features an assortment of colours found throughout the seasons. You'll love the colourful range of warm and cool hues. 

Motor City

Detroit put a nation on wheels and rolled us through a lifetime of memories. The Motor City Ink Set is a flashback to Detroit speed. Here are 12 hues inspired by vintage sheet metal fantasies, high gloss paint and all the reckless joys of a fine ride.

Halo

Designed by tattoo artist Halo, the Eternal Ink Halo Fifth Dimension ink set collects 12 opaque hues of intense light Use the hues straight from the bottle as complementary or as high-value tints to quickly provide additional pop and impact to your art!

Portrait Skin Tones

The Eternal Ink portrait series has been designed to give depth and contrast to portrait work. With warm and cool tones, this set blends a perfect assortment of colours for portrait and pin-up work.

Mike Chambers

Myke Chambers' art is instantly recognizable with rich, saturated hues and strong symbolic images inked in his unmistakable style. Presented here are 12 of Chambers' favorite hues mixed perfectly to Eternal inks high standards.

Backpacking New Zealand? Take a tattoo home as a memento!

Traveling is one of life’s great privileges and experiences. It’s something that not just sticks with you, but changes who you are and your entire outlook on life.

There’s no better country in the world to backpack than New Zealand. Our country’s friendly people, fascinating culture and stunning natural landscapes all make it the perfect destination for any traveller.

If you’re here exploring our beautiful country, you’ll want a memento of your time here, and what other way is more perfect than a ta moko tattoo?

Bring a piece of Aotearoa home with you with your own, original Maori tattoo, and have a piece of our land stay with you forever.

Come to Sunset for a Maori tattoo

If you’re interested in getting a Maori tattoo before you leave the country, then you should come see Tristan at Sunset Tattoo.

From Hokianga in the Northland, Tristan is of Te Rarawa descent, and graduated in 2014 from the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts institute.

With his diploma in traditional wood carving (Whakairo Rakau), Tristan came to Tom and asked about bringing his knowledge of carving and Maori art over to tattooing.

He is now tattooing full time with Sunset, and specializes in Ta Moko, Blackwork, pattern work, geometric and dot-work tattoo styles.

The trusted and respected studio

Tom McMillan opened Sunset with his wife, well known New Zealand artist, Misery, and despite only being a few years old, Sunset Tattoo is one of the most respected tattoo studios in Auckland.

We pride ourselves on our dedication to our strict health and hygiene practices, using only the best materials and equipment. In fact, our desire to only use the best led us to create our own tattoo supply company, Tattoo Station.  

If you’re passing through New Zealand and would like the perfect reminder of your time here, call in and see us for the ultimate souvenir, a beautiful, unique Maori tattoo.