Tattoo: Traditions of ink, art and culture

A DigitalNZ Story by Sean McMahon

Tattoo, tattoos, tattoing, tatua, moko, ink, pea

Image: Sketches of Mokilese men and women

Sketches of Mokilese men and women

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: [New Zealand Government Tourist Department] :Maori chief. New Zealand [1930-1940s]

[New Zealand Government Tourist Department] :Maori chief. New Zealand [1930-1940s]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Women with a moko

Women with a moko

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Woman applying moko to Maori performer

Woman applying moko to Maori performer

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: [Robley, Horatio Gordon] 1840-1930 :Moko and Whakairo. [1864 or later]

[Robley, Horatio Gordon] 1840-1930 :Moko and Whakairo. [1864 or later]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: THE MAORI ART OF MOKO; A Sign of Aristocracy; Faces Were ‘Carved’; Sensitive to Art; Drawings of Moko; For Living People - (Te Ao Hou - No. 43 June 1963)

THE MAORI ART OF MOKO; A Sign of Aristocracy; Faces Were ‘Carved’; Sensitive to Art; Drawings of Moko; For Living People - (Te Ao Hou - No. 43 June...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Artist unknown :Ancient tattooing. Moko-kuri. Frontispiece. [From John White's Ancient history of the Maori (Wellington, 1891)]

Artist unknown :Ancient tattooing. Moko-kuri. Frontispiece. [From John White's Ancient history of the Maori (Wellington, 1891)]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Robley, Horatio Gordon 1840-1930 :Thigh pattern. Waikairo tattooing on a left thigh. [Between 1864 and 1930]

Robley, Horatio Gordon 1840-1930 :Thigh pattern. Waikairo tattooing on a left thigh. [Between 1864 and 1930]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Moore & Thompson (Photographers) : Man tatooing the face of another, with traditional implements

Moore & Thompson (Photographers) : Man tatooing the face of another, with traditional implements

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tohunga tattooing a Maori woman

Tohunga tattooing a Maori woman

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Maori needle, tatooing chisel and bird holding ring, alongside pieces of greenstone

Maori needle, tatooing chisel and bird holding ring, alongside pieces of greenstone

Alexander Turnbull Library