Mark Kopua
Tā moko artist & carver · Aotearoa New Zealand
- Style
- Tā moko (uhi chisel)
- Regions served
- Aotearoa (New Zealand)
- Tradition
- Aotearoa tradition →
About Kopua’s work
Of Ngāti Ira, Te Aitanga a Hauiti and Ngāti Porou, raised in Mangatuna. Toi Iho describes him as a master carver who has led the creation of several wharenui, and as a highly respected moko artist and mentor who has trained several practitioners and served for many years on the board of Toi Māori. Kōmako records that he was born in Gisborne.
Connect
Artwork by Kopua
Verified pieces from @markkopua. Tap any artwork for its full detail page and source attribution.
Motifs documented in Aotearoa work
These symbols are recorded in the Aotearoa design vocabulary in our sourced motif library. They are not a claim about Kopua’s personal repertoire — each entry links to its own cited meaning.
Frequently asked about Mark Kopua
Where is Mark Kopua based?+
Mark Kopua is recorded as working from Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa (New Zealand)).
What style of Polynesian tattooing does Mark Kopua practise?+
Mark Kopua is listed as a tā moko artist & carver working in tā moko (uhi chisel), within the Aotearoa tradition.
Is Mark Kopua a traditional or contemporary practitioner?+
Mark Kopua is documented within a traditional lineage, meaning the practice is tied to hand-tap tools and customary transmission of the craft.
What sources support this profile?+
This profile cites 2 public references: Toi Iho — Mark Kopua; Kōmako — Mark Kopua (b. 1961, Ngāti Ira).
How can I contact Mark Kopua?+
Publicly listed channels: Mark Kopua — Moko bookings and @markkopua. PolyTribal does not book appointments or act as an agent.
Sources & citations
Each statement on this profile is written to match the public sources below. Follow the links to check the details on Kopua for yourself.
- Toi Iho — Mark Kopua ↗toiiho.org.nz
- Kōmako — Mark Kopua (b. 1961, Ngāti Ira) ↗komako.org.nz
More context on Aotearoa tattoo practice: Aotearoa culture page · motif library · placement guide · choosing an artist