Mario Gregor
Mário Gregor
Custom Tattoo Artist
Kerikeri, NZ
About Me
I’m a tattoo artist based at Konstantin Studio in Kerikeri, New Zealand.
I’m best known for my bold and vibrant colour tattoos—especially New Zealand native birds, vivid florals, portraits (both human and animal), and recreations of classic paintings. While colour is my passion, I also love working in black and grey.
I was born in Czechoslovakia during the communist regime, in a time and place where creativity and individuality were often suppressed. After the fall of the regime, I had the opportunity to attend university—but societal expectations led me to study mechanical engineering instead of art.
It wasn’t until I moved to New Zealand and made it my home that I was finally able to follow my true passion: art.
I began tattooing in 2012, and in 2015 I opened The Gallery Custom Tattoo in Wellington. In 2020, I started working from my Konstantin Studio in Featherston, and in 2025 we relocated to Kerikeri to open our private studio—an intimate, creative space where I can design one-of-a-kind, stylized tattoos that tell your story, reflect your history, or capture something deeply meaningful to you.
I am fortunate to be sponsored by four of my favourite companies-
Media
Konstantin Studio
Konstantin Studio is named in honour of my grandfather back home in Slovakia. Located in the beautiful Kerikeri, Northland, NZ, the studio is a space rooted in creativity, community, and family.
The idea for our studio began during a motorbike trip around the Far North in 2018. My partner, Ceara Lile, and I started dreaming aloud about a place that could connect us to our home—a space that felt grounding, peaceful, and inspiring. The more we talked, the more it felt right. Once we found the names, the vision began to come to life.
Konstantin and Perpetua (my grandmother) were both hardworking, creative, and deeply family- and community-oriented. Konstantin was an engineer who built the family home I grew up in (and where my family still lives). Perpetua crafted beautiful, handmade linens on her loom.
Neither name is common in Slovakia, but both hold powerful meanings: everlasting or constant—qualities that reflect the work we do.
For tattooing, the name speak to the lasting nature of the art I create, etched permanently into the skin, and to my dedication to growth, exploration, and constant evolution as an artist.
Each piece is both a moment in time and part of a lifelong journey of elevating my craft.
We’re proud to share this creative home with you.
Before you book
Getting a tattoo is a collaboration between artist and client — a mix of trust, communication, and creativity.
Below you’ll find everything you need to know before making a booking with Mario.
Making a Booking Enquiry
Before sending your enquiry, please check for updates on when Mario’s books are open.
When bookings are open, email the following details:
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Your full name and contact number
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A short description of the tattoo idea you’d like
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Placement and size — where on your body and roughly how big
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Reference photos, if you have any. Label them or include a note about what you like in each image (e.g. “In photo 1 I like the placement” or “In photo 2 I like the bee’s shape”).
For more details on what happens after you book, visit The Tattoo Process.
Before Your Tattoo Date
After your initial enquiry, Mario will arrange a consultation — either in person or via Zoom.
If your consultation is online, you’ll receive the Zoom link by email a few minutes before the appointment.
During the consultation, you’ll discuss all the details needed to bring your tattoo to life — from design and placement to timing and expectations.
At the end of this chat, Mario will confirm your tattoo date.
To secure your booking, a $300 deposit is required.
You can pay this at the studio (cash or EFTPOS) or online within two weeks of making your booking.
Before your tattoo session, you’ll receive a reminder email and an info sheet on how to prepare for the day.
You’ll see your design for the first time on the tattoo day — Mario will go over it with you and make any adjustments if needed. You’ll confirm sizing and placement together, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts.
There’s a lunch break around 1pm, and Mario usually has a short consultation with a new client around 3:30pm, giving you a moment to stretch and rest before finishing up.
After your session, Mario will walk you through detailed aftercare instructions to help your tattoo heal beautifully.
Studio Appointments
The studio is private and by appointment only — we don’t take walk-ins.
This helps keep the space calm and focused for both artist and client.
Rates & Deposits
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Hourly rate: $300
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Day rate: $1600 (10.00am – 5.30pm approx.)
If your tattoo takes less than a full day, the hourly rate applies.
A $300 deposit is required to secure your booking and is deducted from your total on the day.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Out of care for your health and your baby’s, Mario does not tattoo anyone who is pregnant.
We recommend waiting until your baby is at least 9–12 months old and no longer fully dependent on breast milk before booking.
Pain & Numbing Creams
We ask that numbing creams not be used before your appointment, as they can affect how the skin reacts to tattooing.
If needed, you can take Panadol (or similar) as prescribed.
Gift Vouchers
We don’t offer gift vouchers — every tattoo starts with a personal consultation, so it’s important that each person goes through the booking process themselves.
Age Requirement
You must be 18 or older to be tattooed.
Design Work
Your tattoo design is included in the tattoo rate.
Mario will create your piece based on your consultation and references, ensuring it’s unique to you.
Cover-Ups & Scar Work
Mario takes on cover-up tattoos when possible.
When bookings open, send through a photo of your existing tattoo along with your ideas for what you’d like instead.
Because cover-ups depend on the size, colour, and placement of the old piece, Mario will let you know what’s achievable.
He’s also happy to work over scar tissue, as long as it’s been healed for at least a year.
A clear photo helps assess the area beforehand.
Bringing a Support Person
You’re welcome to bring a support person — we just ask that they’re respectful of the studio space and the work in progress.
The aim is to keep a calm, focused environment for both artist and client.
Tattoo Ink & Aftercare
Mario works exclusively with Intenze Tattoo Ink — a highly reputable, vegan-friendly brand known for its safety, consistency, and vibrant results.
After your session, Mario will guide you through detailed aftercare steps to help your tattoo heal and look its best.