image of Julie courtesy of Skindigenous Nish Television Media, Canada 2020
To mata i haea ki te toroa-a-tai
Your face scored with the tattooer’s chisel (made of the albatross)
Extract from waiata-tangi, composed and chanted by chief Hori Tupaea (Ngai-Te-Rangi chief), of Tauranga, for his younger brother Hikareia, who was killed in battle by the Arawa in 1836 at the fall of Te Tumu Pa, on the coast between Tauranga and Maketu.
““Moko to me is a process of connecting each of us through its practice, to the ancient wisdom of our ancestors, so that their mana and mauri may become centred within our personal spiritual self””
Ta Moko Sessions: Julie Paama-Pengelly
Ta moko artist Julie Paama-Pengelly talks about the challenges she's faced in a male-dominated industry and why she doesn't believe in the introduction of the term kirituhi to describe versions of ta moko.
Introducing Ta moko artist Julie Paama-Pengelly and the talented team of Tattoo & Art Specialists at Art + Body Mt Maunganui.
Check out more of Julie’s ta moko work from her Mount Maunganui based Studio where we are proud to offer a comfortable, quality custom ta moko experience.


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


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Julies work is featured in Taiawhio II published by Te Papa Press 2007