Search MENU
Back to all Rights Back

Your Rights

Tattoos & Piercings

Tattoos & piercings

Unlike many other countries, New Zealand doesn’t have a national legal age restriction for getting a tattoo or getting your skin pierced. However, some regional councils and local businesses have their own set of age regulations.

This section lets you know about the tattoos & piercings regulations in NZ.

At what age can I get a tattoo or a piercing?

New Zealand doesn’t have a national legal age restriction for getting a tattoo or getting your skin pierced. However, some regional councils have made bylaws preventing tattooists or body piercers from providing services to those under a certain age. Most of these only place a restriction on the age of parental consent – this means that if you’re under the age limit but have your parent’s/legal guardian’s permission, you won’t be prevented from getting a tattoo or having your body pierced.

 

 

When can I get a tattoo or piercing without my parents’ permission?

Some councils have bylaws saying that you have to be 18 before you can get a tattoo or piercing without your parents’ permission. Others don’t require your parents’ permission after you’re 16. You should check your local council website for information on the law in your area. If you go to your local piercing or tattoo shop and ask, they will also be able to let you know.

For example, in Auckland, the age limit for piercings is 16, and the age limit for getting tattoos is 18.

back to top