Māori tattoo is not “tribal decoration.” It’s a living cultural system governed by tikanga (protocol), identity, genealogy, and community authority. That is why the words matter — Maori tāmoko is not the same thing as kirituhi, and not every artist is permitted to practice or claim it.

Introduction: A Sacred Art Form Beyond Ink Polynesian tattoos are not just body art—they are a sacred expression of identity, history,...