Lucky's Tattoo Museum

An indelible part of Wellingtonian culture, tattoos can be seen emblazoned on countless arms and legs across the city, each with its own unique story to tell. It’s fitting, then, that the Hutt Valley is home to Lucky’s Tattoo Museum - New Zealand’s only tattoo museum, celebrating and showcasing this timeless art form.

The brainchild of Dre Röck, a stalwart of New Zealand’s tattoo scene, Lucky’s Tattoo Museum is a gallery of all things tattoo. The museum boasts an extensive collection of flash tattoo designs, alongside an array of machines and equipment dating back to the 1930s. Well-versed local aficionados will appreciate the archive from Roger Ingerton, the founder of New Zealand's longest-established tattoo shop, Cuba Street’s Rogers Tattoo Art. This collection includes photographs and artworks from tattoo legends Kevin Gray, Ollie Bott, and many others, some unseen since the 1950s, offering a rare glimpse into this slice of Aotearoa's tattooing heritage. Sharing its space with Saturnia Tattoos, the studio owned by Dre and his wife Ludo, the museum seamlessly blends historical appreciation with contemporary practice.

Visitors are treated to a collection of tattoo memorabilia like no other. Check out the confiscated prison rotary machines, letters from the legendary Sailor Jerry, and traditional Uhi Ta Moko tools. Rare New Zealand documentaries and shows from the early 1940s to the 1990s play in the background, immersing visitors in a truly educational experience.

Lucky's Tattoo Museum is more than a gallery; it's a tribute to the artists and traditions that have shaped New Zealand's tattoo culture. By preserving and showcasing these treasures, the museum ensures that the stories, names, and legacies of past tattooists continue to inspire future generations.