• No communication with anyone who was not undergoing the same process.
• They were unable to use their own hands to feed themselves.
• They were unable to eat fish unless the fish were held up to see the Ta Moko.

Naturally, there were differences across the many different tribes across New Zealand however the earliest information gathered did not differentiate the differences.

Tohunga-Ta-Moko, Experts of Tattoo

Every skilled artist needs to start somewhere and often the artists practiced on those who could not afford a skilled tohunga. But those that could were well rewarded with gifts and payment, while the individual was rewarded with an enviable design. A skilled man in the art of Ta Moko was highly respected.

Rangi was a lowly slave who through his skillful ministrations managed to raise his status and his wealth. The fact that his name has been preserved through multiple recordings from multiple sources speaks of his skill. And it was this skill that led men of power, importance, and mana to seek his expertise.

A skilled artist captured a person’s story beautifully and intricately that was admired by even those who were unable to appreciate the design for more than just art.