Some tattooists are calling for regulation of their industry, as tattooing gains in popularity.
The Hepatitis Foundation supports the call because, it says, hepatitis B is on the rise and more small tattoo shops are setting up.
Wellington tattooist Antoine Navarra is starting a national association, Pacific Tatau, in the hope there will eventually be regulation of the sector. He says infectious diseases are a real risk in an unregulated industry.
Paraparaumu tattoo shop owner Dave Stevens says he regularly sees new customers with a lot of scarring and has to do three or four repair jobs every week.
Mr Stevens says the damage is being done by people he calls cowboys, using dodgy equipment. Health Ministry guidelines cover the sector but it is up to local councils to regulate tattooing.
A survey last year showed that one in five New Zealanders over the age of 18 is tattooed.
