Mai Time - Body Art Special (excerpts)

I would get a tattoo ... something that represents me and my culture and my family.

– A young vox pop participant is asked what she would work she would get done

.... henna itself is a very old art. They believe it is a 3000-year-old art...

– Henna artist Usha Raman

All the designs represent some good meaning...mainly love, affection and friendship...

– Henna artist Usha Raman

Tattooed...to show what you represent, and why.

– A young vox pop participant is asked if they prefer 'natural skin or enhanced'

Culture, pride, where I’m from, what I represent.

– A young male is asked what body art symbolises

(for) some it could symbolise their culture, their beliefs...family...

– A female vox pop participant is asked what body art symbolises

I was working in a shop and I used to see a lot of people ... come there with real tattoos; lifelong tattoos. And at least 50 per cent of them used to say 'oh I don’t like this now. I regret having this now.' ... one fine day me and my husband were talking. We thought okay why don't we introduce our henna culture as a temporary tattoo to New Zealanders, because it'll stay about three to four weeks on them, and it’s a good time for them to realise whether they want a real tattoo or they’re happy with this.

– Henna artist Usha Raman