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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

Motorman: Blame it on Rio!

22 May, 2025

Following the third polite advisory, I figured there had to be a fair degree of substance to the warning. “If this is your first visit to Rio de Janeiro, please be careful,” came the personal hushed dialogue from the pleasant hostesses on a far from crowded Varig flight from Los Angeles to the famous Brazilian seaside city.
The previous evening I had flown into LA from Auckland en route to the 1985 international launch of the Fiat Uno Turbo. I was prepared for another long haul of just under 12 hours across Mexico, central America, Colombia, and central Brazil to that nation’s third largest city. Surprisingly the 10,500km run from Los Angeles to Rio is actually longer than the 8800km LA-London air route.
With the journey including a brief stopover in Honolulu I expected to travel just under 44,000km for the return journey to sample what was to be a low-volume version of a popular Italian car that would sell in even lower numbers in New Zealand. I like to think this shows nothing more than my deep commitment to my craft. In fact, even though I became lost on the homeward journey my total air miles would be little different.

Pinnacle Porsche

15 May, 2025

We were stopped at the side of the road, setting up the next photograph, when a faded Toyota slowed alongside and stopped. The window was already down to give the driver a good look.
“That’s my dream car,” he said, speaking for more than a few of us.
He drank in the gleaming red paint, shining in the sun, and the car’s purposeful swoops and curves. He exhaled half a lungful of cigarette smoke, gave a hang 10–style thumbs up and drove off.
On the side of the road, against a clear blue background, the Porsche stood out in all its stark red glory. It’s the classic 911 shape on steroids. It has the fat, even pouty, front lip of the G series 911s, added to comply with 5mph bumper restrictions in the US. It also has the oversized haunches to accommodate the wider rear wheels and tyres – a first for Porsche, which also confirmed its supercar credentials – and, most noticeably of all, that enormous whale-tail spoiler. They made it look as if Porsche had abandoned its restraint.