Karanga Ink

Karanga Ink is a Wāhine Māori owned and operated tattoo studio 
based in Te Henga, Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa; 
specializing in Tā Moko -  traditional and contemporary 
Indigenous markings.
VIEW DESIGNS

NAU MAI HAERE MAI
WELCOME TO KARANGA INK

“He oro no nehera, he karangaranga no te pae tawhiti”
~ Echoes of the past weave the karanga of the future~

We are called to uphold the mana and ancestral knowledge of our Tupuna.
We evolve from the echoes of their teachings, weaving the values of Rarohenga into the tapestry of our co-creations; being mindful to tap into the guidance from our ancestors and realise our infinite potential.

Tā Moko Designs

Each tā moko is uniquely designed and created through a collaborative process that reflects your personal story.

Want to Know More?

Let us tell your story through the art of Tā Moko — traditional and contemporary Indigenous markings

CONTACT US

Pip Hartley



Ko Tongariro te Maunga
Ko Taupo nui-a-Tia te Moana
Ko Te Arawa te Waka
Ko Tuwharetoa te Iwi
Ko Te Heuheu te Tangata
Ko Ngati Parekaawa te Hapu
Ko Poukura te Marae
Ko Pip Hartley toku ingoa

Pip Hartley’s devotion to Tā Moko is evident in her work, having gained a wealth of experience  from travelling the world participating in various indigenous tattoo conventions.

Sharing her culture and fine-tuning her chosen art form since 2002, Pip has an innate ability to translate stories and flow with the contours of the body using both traditional and contemporary tools.

At home in Aotearoa, Pip is the creative mastermind behind indigenous tattoo studio Karanga Ink. After 16 years on the iconic Karangahape Road, Pip is living the dream working from her serene sanctuary she built just 25km west of Auckland's CBD.

It is an elegantly beautiful and warm space where Pip can showcase her talents whilst celebrating Māori and Pacific indigenous tattoo. 

Sharing her vast knowledge of ancient symbology through contemporary indigenous markings is one of the various ways Pip serves her community, empowering  future generations of Indigenous artists. 

"It is an absolute privilege and honour to do this mahi and help assist in people's journeys of healing and transformation."


The Process

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Think about what your intention is for this piece, why do you want it and for what reasons. Is it to represent your whakapapa (genecology)? Your whanau (family)? Loved ones that have passed?

Honouring your own transformation, trials and tribulations, strength, courage, protection? 

Is it a momento piece of your travels to acknowledge the connection to our wonderful Papatuanuku (mother earth and Ranginui (sky father) the sea the land the people? 

Ask yourself.. What is so significant to you that you wish to be constantly reminded of?

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Where on your body would you like it and how big or small? Knowing where you want it can be hard to decide for some people. It would help if this could be decided before or by the time of your appointment. 

If you’re still unsure by the time you arrive for your appointment our artists can help you out. Our artists are professionals in their craft and will give you their honest opinions whether they think what you have in mind will flow nicely. 

Particular shapes and sizes tend to fit better on body
parts that resemble the same movement. 

Try closing your eyes and imaging yourself with it. Where do
you see it?

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Budget. Having an idea of the price range you will be willing to spend gives our artists an idea of how big or small and or how much time it will take. 

Please be aware if you are wanting a large intricate piece, than it will take time so you will need to be flexible with your budget. After all, this will be a friend for life! 

Our artists charge from$150-$200 per hour and with freehand pieces from the time they start drawing to completion.

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GET IN TOUCH! Now that you have listened to your inner calling for ink karanga mai! Give us a call, email or Click here and fill out the online form. Our studio manager will reply as soon as she can and answer all your queries. 

If you have references or something in mind please email these with any explanations and if you like feel free to share your intentions of the story you would like to tell. 

Hoi ano (however), in most cases you can share your story on the day of your appointment. If you are booking in for more of an illustrative piece than you are welcome to book in for a free consultation to discuss in more detail or via email so a pre draw can be prepared for you. 

Please note that we do not email these out. They are presented on the day of booking or we can arrange an appointment for you to come view and discuss any changes.

Contact us to learn more

Let us tell your story through the art of Tā moko
- traditional and contemporary Indigenous markings

CONTACT US