How Ta Moko tattoos tell a story

There are many different types and styles of tattoos in New Zealand, but tattooing first began in Aotearoa with Ta Moko. 

The earliest forms of Ta Moko

It’s impossible to establish when Ta Moko started as there are no written records pre-colonisation, as there was no formal Maori written language. Instead, historians have had to rely on archaeologists and the accounts of the first European settlers. Excavated sites have found tattooing tools dating back to the very earliest settlers, with some of the tools the same as the ones used in Samoa. Although the patterns and designs vary throughout the Pacific when it comes to tattoos, the technique of rhythmically tapping a bone chisel, lashed to a small wooden shaft remains the same.

Some of the earliest accounts of tattooing in New Zealand were by Sydney Parkinson. Parkinson was Captain James Cook’s artist onboard the Endeavour when it landed in Poverty Bay in 1769. He sketched and painted local Maori displaying their Moko, and described in detail the different styles and patterns he witnessed.

The Explorers noticed that Maori women were not as extensively tattooed as the men. Their upper lips were outlined, usually in dark blue, and their nostrils were also very finely incised. The chin moko was always the most popular and continued to be practiced even into the 1970s.

How Ta Moko tattoos tell a story

Ta Moko facial tattoos aren’t just for decoration, they also tell a story. A person’s ancestry is indicated on each side of the face. The left side is generally (but not always, depending on the tribe) the father's side, while the right-hand side indicates the mother's ancestry. If one side of a person's ancestry was not of rank, that side of the face would have no Moko design. Likewise if, in the centre forehead area there is no Moko design, this means the wearer either has no rank, or has not inherited rank.

Come to us for a Ta Moko tattoo

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

Tristan is of Te Rarawa descent, from the Hokianga in the far north. He graduated from the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts institute in 2014 with a diploma in Whakairo Rakau (traditional wood carving). Not long before Tristan graduated, he approached Tom about learning the craft of tattooing and bringing his knowledge of carving and Maori art over to the medium.

Tristan is of Te Rarawa descent, from the Hokianga in the far north. He graduated from the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts institute in 2014 with a diploma in Whakairo Rakau (traditional wood carving). Not long before Tristan graduated, he approached Tom about learning the craft of tattooing and bringing his knowledge of carving and Maori art over to the medium.

Thomas Clark has been a full time Ta Moko artist for the past 12 years. Thomas is a well-respected Māori artist whose formal training and applied practice allows him to cross several artistic disciplines – Tā Moko (Traditional Markings on Skin), Kirituhi (Applied Skin Design), Rauangi (Abstract Painting), Whakairo Uku (Clay Sculpture).

Drinking and tattoos don’t mix

There’s a classic movie trope about getting black-out drunk and waking up with a tattoo. That might have been possible back in the day or if you’re in a less reputable area of Bangkok, but modern, responsible tattoo studios won’t serve you if you’ve had a drink, and for good reason.

Alcohol impairs your judgement

We understand getting your first tattoo can be scary, and you might need a little Dutch Courage to get you through the experience, but getting drunk isn’t going to help. You need a clear head when getting a tattoo or you might pick one you’ll regret. What happens when you sober up and realise you have this thing for life? You blame the tattooist.

You need a clear head at every stage of the tattooing process – your decision is final on what the design is and where it goes. You can’t do that if you’re drunk.

Your blood gets thinner

Booze will thin your blood, and this isn’t ideal when getting a tattoo. It means you’ll bleed more, and while that sounds scary, don’t worry, you’re not going to bleed to death. It just means that you’ll take longer to heal and the pigment in the tattoo ink will become diluted, resulting in a “watered-down” design.

And remember, it’s the amount of alcohol you drink that thins the blood, not when you drink it. If you were out on the piss last night and are sober (but hungover) today, your blood will still be feeling the effects of the booze.

It makes it harder for us to work

There another reason you shouldn’t drink before getting a tattoo - we can’t be arsed dealing with drunks.

When everybody’s drunk it can be fun. When one person is drunk and everyone else is sober, it can be a nightmare. Most tattoo artists don’t want to deal with your drunken bullshit, so won’t even entertain the notion of working on you.

There’s also the fact that drunk people tend to fidget, and this will result in a bad tattoo anyway. And then when you sober up and come back complaining about the shoddy workmanship, we’ll break out the security footage which shows you doing the macarena while we try and work on you.

Only joking, you won’t even get through the door.

Ten of the best: Simpsons Tattoos

Everyone loves the Simpsons. Well, up to season 10 anyway.

The show is the longest running animated series in history, and having started 30 years ago, even people pushing 50 consider it a part of their childhood.

This might be why Simpsons tattoos are so popular, and add to that over 3000 characters who have appeared on the show, as well as different versions of the regular characters, and you’ve got plenty of ammo to work with.

We’ve scoured the internet to find you some of the best Simpsons tattoos, some of which you might not understand unless you’re a big fan of the show.

Let’s start with sexy Ned, who feels like he’s wearing nothing at all. Nothing at all… nothing at all…

The Simpsons were one of the first TV shows to satirise other TV shows and movies, so it’s fitting that Itchy & Scratchy recreate this iconic moment from Reservoir dogs.

This brilliant minimalist tattoo might just seem like a random design to many people, but we know better.

Who’s gay for Moleman?

Hundreds of celebrities have made an appearance in the Simpsons, with the legendary Johnny Cash turning up as this imaginary coyote.

Is it Milpool or Thrillhouse?

Grandpa Simpson was a tough son of a bitch back in his army days, and his regimental tattoo proves it!

The nicest thing anyone can ever say to you is “You’re the Lenny to my Carl”.

This isn’t what it looks like. It’s actually German for “The Bart, the.

Now this one really is for the die-hard fans. If you get it, then congratulations. If you’ve not idea what’s going on, go watch the first 10 seasons again!

95 percent of new police recruits tattooed

Tattoos have traditionally been frowned upon by most Western Societies, with some cultures (like Japan), turning it up to 11 and associating them with the criminal underworld.

There was a time, and there still is in many countries, that having a tattoo barred you from joining the police or army, but New Zealand has always been different.

As well as the traditional Maori tattoos we have here, the idea of getting inked isn’t as frowned upon in our culture.

As the NZ Herald reported this week, up to 95% of new police recruits have tattoos, and the organisation has launched a recruitment campaign around skin art in a bid to encourage more people to join the force.

The campaign officially launches this weekend and shares the personal stories of seven officers and their ink.

Arrested by… Batman?

One of the officers fronting the campaign is Constable Dion Nelson-Screen, who has a detailed portrait of Batman adorning his right forearm.

"I got this as firstly I am a massive fan but it also symbolises the police in a way to me," he said.

"I like how Batman stands for justice and how the bat symbol is a symbol of hope and justice - just like the police symbol.

"Batman is just a regular human who wants to stand for more and save people."

Nelson-Screen has a number of other inkings including the Japanese symbol for strength and the Green Arrow character from the television series, which he says has similar meaning to him as Batman.

"Plus, I love comic book characters," he added.

"I also have my mum and brother's name on my shoulder along with a Kiwi fern which is half a fern and half a Māori tā moko - which symbolises both parts of my ethnic background."

This article was originally published in the New Zealand Herald by Anna Leask, a senior crime and justice reporter. All credits to her and the Herald.

Sunset Studio is now an official distributor of Ironlak spray paint!

Art is art, and tattoo artists and street artists are brothers from another mother.

That’s why we are so stoked to announce we are now official distributors of the world-famous Ironlak spray paint, simply the best for street artists everywhere.

Ironlak – the artists weapon of choice

The Ironlak dream began across the Ditch 2002, when a young graffiti writer from Sydney wanted to offer Australian writers a premium spray paint brand at an affordable price.

After a couple of years of research and development the very first Ironlak prototypes rolled onto shelves in 2004, opening up a whole new world of possibilities for Australian artists.

Made by artists for artists

Ironlak is the first Australian spray paint brand that was developed specifically for aerosol art.

Owned and operated by graffiti writers, Ironlak was founded on principles of quality and value. It’s now available worldwide, and known for high-coverage, bright colours and crisp control.

Manufactured from the highest quality raw materials available, Ironlak is intended for indoor and outdoor applications on almost any surface.

It is also one of the most environmentally friendly sprays available, rejecting the usual suspects like Toluene, Xylene, Benzene, CFCs or lead.

Ironlak uses DME; a propellant that is better for the environment than hydrocarbon, contributing to a paint formulation that boasts less volatile organic compounds than other leading brands.

Why Ironlak is special

Ironlak is a solvent-based acrylic paint which offers strength, flexibility, fast-drying ability, colour retention, low VOC levels and ease of application.

Our resin-blend offers weather-resistant qualities and superior adhesion, and is unlikely to flake or peel and is built to perform in extreme temperatures.

Our acrylic resin forms a one-way barrier when applied to a wet surface, forcing moisture to the other side of the resin, adhering even if the surface is wet during application.

Built from the ground up and through trial and error, Ironlak’s Quality Control procedures are extremely stringent delivering the most reliable product available on the market today.

Ironlak's specially developed dual pressure valve system allows for high and low pressure, and variation is possible according to the choice of nozzle and the user's control, with different nozzles used to achieve each desired result.