My observation is that tattoos in NZ have become quite fashionable amongst young people. The designs are often Polynesian in nature or a general tribal looking design and appears on the shoulder and forearm. With women it is more common to see a design on the lower back or on the shoulder behind the head than a forearm tattoo. One matter that is interesting is the fashion for genital and buttock tattoos amongst younger women. With Maori it is not uncommon today to see full facial tattoos and the smaller chin tattoo and blackened lips on women. Apparently according to a recent book on Moko there has been a resurgence of interest in the traditional penis tattoo in which the penis is inked black.
Traditionally Maori males of high ranking had their faces and buttocks tattooed to display their whakapapa . Women their chins and lips . Slaves had their backs or arms tattoed if they were allowed them at all . I laugh when I see these modern designs on the arms and backs of well meaning but ultimately deluded slaves (excuse the pun) to fashion . I don't like seeing them on people like Robbie Williams, Billy Connelly or Ben Harper . I am descended from chiefly stock and would never adorn my body with modern interpretations of serious, ancient rites of passage for the select few, I am in possession of an ancient mere pounamu and tokotoko with my ancestral moko on it . I would only ever have my face or buttocks done, and even then I would want it etched traditionally, not with modern tools, and that would be too painful . These are my feelings . I feel the same way with about Dreadlocks, and other things twisted as fashion statements by western minds . My penis is black enough, I'm happy with it as it is .
