NZ Visual Diary - entry 344

self-promotion

I suspect that the gentleman in the foreground of this entry’s photograph was the tattoo artist on duty at the Auckland Tattoo Studio on Ponsonby Road when I stopped at his shop to capture the photograph. He is a human billboard for the studio.

The studio’s website makes the claim that it is the longest established tattoo studio in New Zealand.

The ATS website features a photograph of Merv O’Connor, the founding owner of the tattoo studio and a man of many talents and occupational pursuits. The image of Merv is a joy to behold.

Of Merv it is said:

Auckland Tattoo Studio was founded by revered tattooer and former champion jockey, Merv O’Connor. He was a self taught tattooer with decades of experience. From humble beginnings, hand poking himself and his mates over 65 years ago, he threw in the horse training and racing and made the move from Whanganui to Auckland in 1969. Quickly establishing himself as a solid tattooer, the customers came in droves, often queuing out the door. In 1970, he opened his first street shop on Queen Street. From there he moved onto Karangahape Road followed by Richmond Road, until finally, in 1988, he came to set up A.T.S. at 64 Ponsonby Road, where it remains to this day. ¹

1. Auckland Tattoo Studio website
< https://aucklandtattoostudio.org/about >