Nelson MP Nick Smith is calling for an age restriction on tattoos after he received a complaint from the parent of a teenager who's had her hands permanently inked.
The girl's father said he was horrified at how easy it was for his daughter, 16, to get a tattoo without parental consent.
Dr Smith is urging Nelson City Council to create a by-law banning all tattoos on those under 18 years. He said they are not capable of making a decision with such permanent consequences.
However the council said it's an issue for central Government.
Planning and Regulatory committee chair Brian McGurk said setting age restrictions for things like drivers' licenses, purchasing alcohol, and getting married, all rest with Parliament and are not a function of local government.
