Tapping into the Past: Cook Islands tatau

At least two people are needed to stretch the skin tight so the artist can tap the ink patterns into place. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Tatau artists Croc's tools are made and maintained by him using wood, fishing wire, and the tusk of a pig for the head. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

"It’s always stood in my mind and in many cultural ways as something of its own and seen as sacred, something of honour and of mana." Croc shares his thoughts on tatau. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Each tatau is marked out with pen for approval by whoever is receiving it before work begins. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Croc appreciates people taking the time to learn and watch ta tatau. Here some family members of one of the stretchers watch Thomas Tarurongo Wynne receive tatau. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Vaka voyagers and the vaka themselves were instrumental in spreading tatau patterns throughout the Pacific. Thomas Tarurongo Wynne (left) helps steer the vaka out of Avana passage. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Croc prefers to work outside where it's cooler and built the hut himself. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

"The thing to understand with colonisation is that it's not something that happened, it's something that is happening." Thomas Tarurongo Wynne. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Thomas Wynne is part of the Marumaru Atua voyagers. Here he helps guide the vaka into Avarua Harbour in Rarotonga. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Croc sets up for Thomas Tarurongo Wynne to receive his tatau. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Thomas Tarurongo Wynne and the two stretchers relax before Thomas receives his tatau. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Thomas Tarurongo Wynne shows his tatau on a vaka voyage just a couple of hours after he has had the outline on his left leg completed. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Thomas Tarurongo Wynne says his tatau design has been a work in progress for about three years. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

The outdoor studio where Croc does his work. Roosters, goats, and Bob Marley provide a unique background to his work. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

An early concept of my tatau drawn by Croc. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

My finished tatau. Three manu tai or sea birds, with their wings linked, flying over the moana or ocean, towards the enua or land. A symbol of unity, support and guidance. Photo/Croc Tatau

Tetini Pekepo was shut down by family when he first tried to set up a tatau studio in the Cook Islands. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

"Tatau represents a time in someone's life" - master tatau artist Tetini Pekepo. Photo RNZ/Koroi Hawkins

Tatau was once widespread throughout the Cook Islands until the arrival of the missionaries who discouraged the practice. Pictured here are Tetini Pekepo's tools. Photo RNZ/Koroi Hawkins

These days Tetini Pekepo is more interested in sailing than practicing tatau. Here he is captaining the Marumaru Atua vaka. Photo RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Traditional tatau tools used by ta tatau artist Tetini Pekepo. Photo RNZ/Koroi Hawkins

Tetini Pekepo lays out his tools at New Zealand's Te Papa Tongarewa museum in Wellington to show the public how he creates his art. Photo RNZ/Koroi Hawkins

Some eager young men quiz Tetini Pekepo about tatau at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo RNZ/Koroi Hawkins