Swiss born "Ernst" is a renown travller of the world, chasing the sun living the care free life some of us could only dream off; with his Lavalava and his hiking pack filled with his few small worldly possessions he lives eats and breaths the worlds culture, some would almost go as far to say he's "the" hitch hiker of the galaxy, he's definitely one of a kind.

Ernst is certainly not the shy type and to any discerning person he could almost push those hidden buttons of judgement, but even with a strong language barrier he still manages to get his point across and when he smiles you can tell he's a genuine man with only "your" best interest at heart. Ernst is one of the most "culturally" tattooed people known to walk the planet, he has broken bread and slept with nearly every culture, he is literally covered from head to toe in the worlds cultural based tattoos. To sum it up he's bascially a walking tale of the world and living proof that one man can touch and change the lives of the people he chooses to share his fascinating intrepid tales with.

From guns to traditional polynesian tapping you name it Ernst is certainly no stranger to being tattooed he says "he cant even feel it anymore" (the tattooing) and with the thousands of hours on his body i wouldnt doubt that for a second. It was by pure chance our path's happen to cross, He came in to ask for directions and for information on a local "gathering" that he was in New Zealand to attend the rest kind of "just happened".

Thanks to the humble kindness of our young apprentice "Antony" he ended up staying a few nights at his house and from what im told 90% of the TV being watched was the "Maori channel" this was one another one of the reasons Ernst was in our little country he loved our culture. It was with great pleasure that Ernest agreed to let the lads do some Moko on him, Mike and Brad were absolutley stoked being given the opportunity to tattoo this amazing living canvas and i dare say they will all remember it for years to come.

On behalf of Otautahi Tattoo i would like to thanks Ernst for coming in and allowing us the priveledge of meeting such a remarkable man.

If you would like to find out more information on Ernst and his travels feel free to look him up under "Ernst Ruegg" please bare in mind he's swiss so you may need someone to help you translate.