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The people of the 2015 NZ International Tattoo and Art Expo

26 February, 2015

 

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“Here’s something a bit different that NZV8 managed to get along to and see what the buzz was all about. We talk to the people of the NZ International Tattoo and Art Expo”

Like a swarm of bees who’ve lost their hive, the buzzing of tattoo machines never stopped all weekend at the Claudelands Event Centre. This was the place to be if you wanted to be a part of the NZ International Tattoo and Art Expo on February 21–22. Featuring burlesque dancers, the Miss Tattoo NZ competition, and a fashion show, tattoo artists from New Zealand, and from around the world, displayed their talents.  Many artists were so in demand that they had signs posted stating, “Sorry, booked all weekend.” Throughout the duration of the event, the exhibition hall was packed with tattooists, the tattooed, and those who appreciate body art.

David L’Huillier from Hamilton has a very impressive full-body tattoo.

He got his first tattoo at the age of 21, when he was in the army. Now aged 27 he works out a lot to keep in shape.

Wandering around the event it was easy to see the people who wanted to get into the industry and start up their own tattoo business. You could tell who they were as they were checking out what the Bohemian Tattoo Supplies team from Tauranga had on display. They had everything you’d need to start up your own business — ink, needles, guns, stencils — all you’d need to find yourself would be a willing client.

If you still weren’t too convinced to get some permanent ink, Usha’s Henna Art was as the show applying traditional Indian artwork, in the non-permanent variety, which is made from natural henna. The designs will last between one to four weeks depending on your skin type. Who knows, in that time you might feel convinced you want to keep it around forever.

Sarah Welsh was in New Zealand on a holiday, away from her home in Wales, and dropped in at the expo and added to her artwork.

She got her first tattoo at the age of 18, and now at 22 she can’t stop — her back is covered. Over in England last year, Sarah won Miss Tattoo. When asked why she didn’t enter the contest at the New Zealand expo she said, “I’m not getting up there in a swim suit”.

Nathan and Melissa from Conscious Stuff had a large selection of custom jewellery on display, comprising of earrings, tunnels, stretchers, bracelets, and necklaces, which had been handcrafted from buffalo horn and bone.

The MellyPop Doll House-hosted fashion show got the crowds gathered. Melissa Spiller, who owns the MellyPop Doll House back in Wellington even entered the show in her red and black corset. 

Following the competition was a burlesque show. All the participants appeared to be having a good time, which the audience fed off, adding to the fun atmosphere of the event. Daria Dangerous entered with her red feather boa as pictured above.

Trillion, the naughty teacher

Red Delicious with feathers

Andy from Taupou Tatau, which is based in wellington, spent most of the day on Saturday working on Emilie’s leg. She’d travelled all the way from San Francisco just for the show.

Little did Emilie know when she jumped on the plane to New Zealand that she would walk away with second place in the Miss Tattoo competition,

Sam from Monsta Truck Tattoo in Napier was kept incredibly busy all weekend as well.


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At this stage she was working on a leg of a person who had also made the trip up from Napier.

One tattooist, Ryugen, came all the way from Japan to do traditional Japanese tattooing. Ryugen has been carrying out the Irezumi style of tattoing for over 20 years. He doesn’t use a machine; instead, the tattooing is done with a very sharp blade on the end of a stick. The lady being tattooed here looked like she was in pain, and who could blame her! It took three and a half hours to do her back.

Miss Tattoo 2015

Miss Nikki Needles was the compere for the Miss Tattoo competition. She took out the competition back in 2013. 

Melissa Spiller, Gaina Rose, who was Miss Tattoo 2014, Event Organizer Criss Praze, and Nadine Marrio lined up as the Miss Tattoo judging panel. 

Serenity Steel was awarded first place in Miss Tattoo 2015

Emilie from San Francisco was awarded second place in Miss Tattoo 2015

Sammy Strickland was awarded third place in Miss Tattoo 2015

NZ Classic Car magazine, November/December 2026 issue 408, on sale now

18 October, 2026

Star status for classic Porsche
A long search ends: finding the right car
Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963, the Porsche 911 heralded an iconic lineage of sports cars, known for their exceptional performance, remarkable racing reliability, and adaptability, second to none.
New Zealand Classic Car, in conjunction with Star Insure, recently conducted a photo competition to find 13 suitably impressive classics to grace the pages of the magazine’s 2027 calendar. A flood of entries showed that Kiwis recognise eye-catching designs and restorations. Many are handy with a camera, too, and have entered some outstanding results.
The choice was not straightforward, with multiple stunning entries, and Geoff Long’s immaculate 1990 Porsche 911 (964 Factory designation) took top honours. Fortunately, Geoff had Ethan Hanlon handy to take the accompanying photos while working in his office.
“I’ve got a young employee who is doing work experience in my office at the moment, and he’s a very avid photographer. So, I said, I’ll buy you breakfast and then why don’t we go and take some photos. He found the right spot, and he spent over an hour photographing.”
Originally sold new in Japan, hence the right-hand drive, the Porsche was resident there for four years before being exported to New Zealand, as Geoff recalls.
“I bought it two-and-a-half years ago, but I looked for it for over two years, because it’s just the colour scheme, interior and exterior I was after. The service file that came with it is extensive; I mean, it’s been beautifully looked after, which is what I wanted to continue, as it does get driven. It doesn’t sit in the garage.”

Classics on the green

16 October, 2026

Many pretenders vie for the title, but the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance gets my vote as the biggest thing since sliced bread.
The 71st edition of the world’s pre-eminent and best-known concours event featured 28 classes, judged by a 180-strong jury, which also chose the recipients of 26 special awards.
The size of the event, the number of visitors, and, most mind-numbingly, the sheer number of amazing cars, is almost overwhelming. There are so many quality cars to gaze upon, and so many people gazing at those cars, that it is almost impossible to cover everything.
Notable among the many attractions were the centenary celebrations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an elegant Talbot-Lago Grand Sport, Hermann Graber’s Swiss-bodied cabriolets and coupés, the jewels of Otto Vu Italian V8s, early Alfa Romeos, Lincoln and its centenary, and cars with unorthodox propulsion systems.