The NTM Entrance Way: - Facing the Museum on Abel Smith Street: The overall entranceway concept was designed by the 'Museum Director' - Stephen Maddock, and was designed to represent the multi-cultural aspects of the art of tattoo both here in Aotearoa and worldwide, with a focus on Ta Moko - (The art of Maori Tattoo) as it is what New Zealand is reowned for. *On the corner left-hand side of the Museum, stands a carved polystyrene statue of 'Ray Taimoana Morehu' - Cultural Advisor on 'Ta Moko' to the Museum. Ray's Moko represents both of his parents 'Iwi' - (Tribe), while also representing the past, present and future of the Morehu 'Whanau' - (Family). > Mother's Iwi: - Ngati Porou - (East coast of the North Island). > Father's Iwi: - Te Atiawa - (West coast of South Island). *On the corner right-hand side of the Museum, stands a carved polystyrene statue of 'Rawiri Tarahina Poutu Te Rangi' - Another 'Ta Moko' Advisor. he is holding traditional tools of the 'Tohunga' - (Ta Moko Artist) - 'Uhi'. > Mother's Iwi: - Te Arawa - (Rotorua), Tuhoe - (Uruwera's), Ngati Raukawa - (South Waikato), Ngati Kahungunu - (Rangiahua), Te Rarawa - (Hokianga) > Father's Iwi: - Te Atihou n ui a Paparangi - (Wanganui River Tribe) and Nga Rauru - (Taranaki - Waverly - Waitotara) On either side of the entranceway doors stand figures representing the 'Easter Island' art of Tattoo - 'Rapa Nui Ta'. The Statues are what the Island is most famed for. 'Rapa Nui' or 'Big Papa' was the name given to the island in historic times when a number of Polynesians working as sailors on whaling ships came to see the island. It reminded them of 'Rapa Iti' - (Little Rapa), a smaller island 700 miles south-west. 'Ta' being the art of 'Rapa Nui' Tattoo, motifs used of a more personal nature, like the 'Marquesas' - (another 'Tattoo Tradition' on display at the Museum), tattooing was a lengthy process taking place at different periods in ones life. The paintings in between the statues represent the lands, skies and waters of the South Pacific - bathed in sunshine during the day, and moonlight during the night. These paintings are framed by Maori Carvings, and the overall shape of the Museum frontage resembles the entrance to a 'Wharenui' - (Maori Meeting House). The Dragon carvings represent our Japanese section of Tattoo, and above the doorway, a gold, 'Hologram' effect of Ray Morehu's Moko is displayed - the reverse side of this illustrates the great 'Omi' and is bordered by a tiger and dragon - again depicting the art of Japanese Tattoo.