FAQ
FAQ
Te Rangitu has recently decided to work only Monday - Friday, as his weekends are taken up with other commitments. His studio is by appointment only. Once clients have been sent a booking link it is easy to see Te Rangitu’s availability. Usually he will see only one person per day, to make sure each client gets the space and time they deserve.
From November 2025 Te Rangitu's Ta Moko Studio will be based from Waipapa, Bay of Islands, which is 3 hours by car north of Auckland.
Many clients travel from other countries and the studio offers to support the process of travel bookings, journey planning and accommodation.
Te Rangitu travels internationally occasionally, please get in touch and let us know where you are based and we will contact you if he is in your country or area.
When deciding on the price point for a tattoo, many factors are taken into account. Generally the price depends not only on the size of the area to be tattooed, but also on the level of the consultation required, the number of hours the work will take and the complexity of the design. Clients’ average spend is about $,1,000 per tattoo. If you have a budget in mind, this can also be taken into consideration. Te Rangitu Netana’s fees are: $80 an hour for consultancy and design development $220 an hour for Ta Moko/tattooing work
The use of traditional tools requires more time, an assistant and a particular commitment to the cultural context of Ta Moko. Te Rangitu is happy to discuss this with those who are interested but he finds that the tattoo machine is his preferable medium for new clients. The use of traditional tools demands more responsibility from both the client and the artist and usually requires the build-up of a trusting relationship between them.
It is important to take good care of your tattoo in the days and weeks after receiving it. As soon as you can after your Ta Moko take a hot shower. This will help cauterise the area. After that, let it dry out, preferably overnight, and then apply a healing cream sparingly after a second shower while your skin is still warm. For the following 7 days, apply cream after your morning shower and shower again in the evening without applying cream. Apply sparingly whenever the skin feels tight, and wipe off any excess. Make sure you wash your hands before and after applying the cream and always make sure the cream is fully absorbed. We recommend a cream called Bepanthen (readily available in pharmacies), however, some natural creams are acceptable too. It is best to avoid creams containing antiseptic or lanolin. Wearing natural fibre/cotton clothing and exposing the tattoo to fresh air aids the healing process, however, avoid exposing the tattoo to sunlight. It’s also best to avoid swimming, contact sports and scratching, as these increase the possibility of infection. After a week to 10 days, your tattoo should be fully healed.
This is not a simple question to answer. In short, yes, it is acceptable for Europeans or non Maori's to wear Maori designs - as long as the person tattooing is of Maori descent, and therefore understands what patterns are appropriate and is able to educate and guide the wearer properly. Te Rangitu only works from the protocols and traditions of his own tribal areas. Even in a traditional sense, not every Maori knows about the subject of Ta Moko. There were, and still are, many professional people within our culture who make a lifetime commitment to these traditions, and carry the responsibilities of their people with that. To us, they are our living taonga (treasures). A word of warning: There are unfortunately many people around the world selling Ta Moko Tattoo services who are not qualified or genuine. Many designs get incorrectly appropriated and misused. This distills and disrespects the ancient history and tradition of the art and spiritual practice of Ta Moko and we recommend to anyone interested in Ta Moko work to be wise and choose their tattoo artist very carefully. The benefits of educating non-Maori about Ta Moko is that the practice helps people from outside our culture to understand who we are as people. It is also important for us to learn about western culture and form new connections - knowledge should be shared. For far too long, some societies have perpetuated lies and have not spoken the truth of our people in the Polynesian cultures. What we have culturally and what we contribute to the understanding of our existence through our beliefs is huge. “There are a lot of issues that sit within today’s society that I think the application of Ta Moko can help with. People have to learn to be proud of where they are from, and I find I can help people find out more about themselves and their own personal origins and beliefs through this work.” Te Rangitu Netana
Due to previous issues with the appropriation of my designs, I no longer send designs to customers. Designs are personal to the customer and copyright is owned by me. Initially designs are drawn up and then revised/adjusted until the client is happy to go ahead at the beginning of the Ta Moko session.
