For Whakatane-based artist Katz Maihi being a ta moko artist was not a job, but a passion.
"The thing I love about moko is that it's an ancient artform - it's a link in the chain of history and I am continuing on the things my ancestors were doing because if we don't it will die," the Ngati Whatua o Orakei descendant said.
Maihi trained as a carver at Te Puia New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute Wananga Whakairo and said it had been a natural progression from working on wood to skin. He and his wife, Leonie, (Ngati Awa) started Toitu Design Limited in 2007. Moko Aotearoa showcases his work from his "little shed in Paroa" which attracts clients from throughout the country and as far as Holland, France and Germany.
"I take my responsibilities to ta moko very seriously. I'm hard out determined to maintain the integrity in ta moko and I just love what I do," he said.
"Firstly it's more about the korero than what you visually see. When someone comes in, we sit down and figure out where they're from as there are different designs and styles from each rohe (area). For non-Maori there are heaps of designs in nature that we use and it's more about experiencing the spiritual side. If they like swimming, there are designs we can use from the ocean," he said.
"Some people turn up and just say something like, 'Mum and Dad'. That's not enough to work on so we dig and dig a bit deeper. Some people (artists) do it just for the money but that's not why I do it. I ask them, 'Why come to this side of the artform?'.
"And a lot have said it's because we're still close to our history and culture and they love the storytelling behind and that they are able to have their own personal moko, which is what I call it. It's about sharing our culture and it's there to share."
Mr Maihi said having the Velvet Stone Media crew filming him was just like "having his family watch him work". They also filmed his passion for music with his reggae band, Yesiyah, who are seen recording their debut single.
"It's been awesome to be in this series. Gordon Toi and Richard Francis are what I call 'Top shelf stuff'. I have the most respect for the pair of them and all the brothers and sisters in this show. I feel lucky to be in it. I love what I do and it doesn't feel like work to me but I get paid doing it."
After carving school Mr Maihi was mentored by master carver and moko artist Rangi Kipa (Te Atiawa-Taranaki), also based in Whakatane, who appears in the series after his return from Hawaii where he spent two months as an artist in residence.
Moko Aotearoa also follows Gordon Toi (Ngapuhi) as he takes on a collective of artists for the first time, the House of Natives, ahead of their first group exhibition from their studio in South Auckland. Mr Toi spent the last seven years training Hirini Katene (Ngati Pikiao) in ta moko as well as carving and he was also featured in the series alongside his mentor.
Pip Hartley of Ngati Tuwharetoa is the sole female artist in the show. She is based in Auckland and works out of her studio Mana Moko in Karangahape Rd. That is part of Te Karanga Trust established by Tame Iti and John Greet in 2002. Pip and her fiance KP, were given the reins as the new generation of Te Karanga Trust in May of 2013 taking over as chairman and director respectively.
Series producer Lara Northcroft said the programme was a celebration of local talent within an artform that had opened doors to the Maori visual arts community locally and internationally.
"Velvet Stone Media is fortunate to have this opportunity to highlight a subject that means so much to us as Maori while showcasing the skill and talent of a range of ta moko practitioners," she said.
Series director Lilly Panapa believed the reality series was unlike anything seen before on local TV screens.
"It's an exciting show that is appealing to a broad audience with strong characters and compelling stories; combining the knowledge of experienced practitioners with the enthusiasm of a new generation of artists."
Moko Aotearoa will premiere on Maori Television at the end of May.
