The Tattoo Studio - dragon emblem logo

Custom Tattoo Studio · Kapiti Coast, New Zealand

Bold Japanese-influenced work built to last a lifetime — sleeves, back pieces and everything between, tattooed one commitment at a time.

About

The Studio

Vorn's been tattooing for 21 years, Ike for 15 and counting — between them the studio covers a huge amount of ground. Large-scale, custom Japanese and neo-traditional pieces are Vorn's specialty, and Ike works heavy in black work and Māori-influenced design; both built up over multiple sessions and designed around the client, not pulled from a wall of flash. That's the work we love doing most, but it's not all we do — small pieces, one-off ideas and the odd bit of custom weirdness are just as welcome. If you can think it, we can ink it.

Every project starts as a conversation: placement, scale, timeline and the story the piece needs to tell. From there it's drawn, refined and tattooed in stages, with the whole process planned out before the machine ever touches skin. The studio is also home to PIERCD, Ashleigh's piercing studio — see her portfolio and price list below.

Specialty
Large-scale Japanese, neo-traditional, black work & Māori-influenced design — plus small & custom one-off pieces
Experience
21 years (Vorn) & 15+ years (Ike)
Piercing
PIERCD with Ashleigh — see portfolio
Bookings
By consultation, custom work only
Studio hours
Mon–Sat, 9am–3:30pm — outside those hours by appointment only

Meet the artists

The Artists

Vorn Morris tattooing a Japanese-style sleeve

Vorn Morris

Owner & Tattoo Artist

Vorn has spent close to two decades behind the machine, building a name for himself across Black & Grey, Traditional and Japanese-influenced tattooing. Raised on the Kāpiti Coast, he's entirely self-taught — and it shows in a style that's picked up multiple award wins on the convention floor.

What drives the work is a genuine obsession with the craft: travel, cultural respect and a constant push to refine his own artistic identity. Every piece is designed around the person wearing it, not pulled off a wall of flash — built to mean something for a lifetime, not just look good for a season.

By Style

Japanese

Black & Grey

Traditional

By Placement

Sleeves

Backs

Chest & Torso

Legs

PIERCD at the studio

Piercings

Ashleigh with Vorn and Ike outside The Tattoo Studio

Ashleigh Smithson

Professional Body Piercer — PIERCD

Ashleigh runs PIERCD, the studio’s in-house piercing service, based here at The Tattoo Studio on the Kāpiti Coast. Body piercing has been her full-time craft for seven years, with the certifications to match — everything from a first lobe piercing through to septums, dermals and more technical facial and body work.

“Body piercing is not just my job — it’s my passion,” is how Ashleigh puts it, and it shows in the relationships she builds with clients and the care that goes into getting placement, jewellery and aftercare right from the first visit. She stocks a full range of implant-grade jewellery and also offers permanent jewellery, tooth gems and teeth whitening. Appointment only — message ahead to lock in a time.

Experience
7+ years, certified professional piercer
Studio hours
Tues & Thurs 10am–2:30pm, Fri 10am–4:30pm, Sat 12–4:30pm
Phone
021 042 1664
Bookings
Appointment only — message to book

Ear Piercings

Lobe$40
Double Lobe$55
Helix$45
Double Helix$60
Flat$45
Conch$45
Forward Helix$50
Tragus$50
Rook$50
Daith$50

Nose Piercings

Nostril$45
High Nostril$55
Septum$50
Bridge$80

Facial Piercings

Eyebrow$55
Horizontal Eyebrow$85
Anti Eyebrow$90
Dermal$110

Lip & Oral Piercings

Lip$50
Labret$50
Vertical Labret$60
Ashley$60
Monroe$65
Medusa$65
Bites$80
Angel Bites$90
Smiley$65
Frowney$65
Frenulum$80
Tongue$55
Snake Eyes$90
Cheeks / Dimples (double)$120

Body Piercings

Nipple$60
Double Nipple$80
Navel$50
Female VCH$190

Tooth Gems & Whitening

Single Gem$60
Additional Gem$20
Express Whitening$150
Full Whitening$200

Permanent jewellery (welded bracelets) from $50. Prices cover the piercing service; jewellery upgrades are priced separately. Hours may vary due to demand — book ahead to secure an appointment.

How it works

From Idea to Ink

01

Enquire

Send through your idea, placement and any reference imagery via the form below.

02

Consult

We talk sizing, scheduling and design direction — in studio or over a call.

03

Design

Custom artwork drawn to fit the body, reviewed together before the first session.

04

Tattoo

Work begins, session by session, until the piece is finished.

Pricing

Get an Estimate

Estimated Price
$0

This is an estimate based on typical parameters — your final price may vary with design complexity, placement, revisions and consultation. Book a consultation for an accurate quote.

Start an Enquiry

Custom pieces only — tell us what you're after and we'll be in touch to arrange a consultation.

Email
hello@thetattoostudio.co.nz
replace with your booking email
Phone
Add studio phone number
e.g. 09 000 0000
Studio
Add studio address
street, suburb, city
Follow
Add Instagram / socials
e.g. @thetattoostudio