The New Zealand maori consider tattooing a sacred art. The maori art of tattooing originated from the islands of East Polynesia. Within the greater polynesian tattoo sphere maori tattoos have their own identity due the easily distinguishable design. Polynesian and maori tattoos seen together are easily distinguishable from each other. The maori use tattoo as a way of personal identification. Common shapes are incorporated into maori tattoo designs. The New Zealand fern with its "Koru" shape is common throughout design culture. The "Koru" shape is the frond of a young unfurling fern leaf. To the Maori the "Koru" represents the unfolding of new life or renewal. The maori people identify this significant symbol with values of youth, strength and vitality, life unfolding, the Whanau (family) its care and protection.

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Traditional maori tattoo designs will generally include sacred symbols. These symbols represent the personal heritage of an individual. Maori see it as stealing part of an identity when traditional tattoo designs are copied for the sake of a trend or fashion.

Traditionally maori tattoo designs were worn on the face showing tribe and status. Tattoo designs were traditionally inked on the face and depicted the wearers heritage and standing within a tribal community.

Fascination with maori tattoo designs has made them a favored design to have inked. As stated above you should contemplate the maori culture when considering a maori tattoo as it would be disrespectful to get such tattoos done for the wrong reasons. Traditional maori tattoo designs are not a for sake fashion.

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That is not to say don't go out and get a maori tattoo, you can get your own tattoo designed without the symbolic ties. You can get an experienced maori artist to produce a design that has the look of a traditional moko (tattoo design) which will be personal to you without the cultural symbolic ties. There are many designs that can be personalized to incorporate other styles for example combining maori and Celtic designs. Mixed race people like to represent their heritage from both side and this can be achieved really effectively with a combination of two styles.

Kirituhi (writing on skin) is the new term given to skin art or body art in New Zealand. Ta Moko is the traditional form of maori tattoo and shouldn't be mistaken for Kirituhi.