ECM Tattoo & Body Piercing is a family-owned tattoo and piercing studio at 66 Matakana Road, Warkworth, founded by Leigh and Kate out of their shared love of tattoos and piercings. What began as a leap of faith has grown into a sought-after destination, with clients travelling for hours to be tattooed or pierced there.
The studio itself has a story of its own: it's housed in a converted motorcycle garage, the same space where Leigh and his dad once built award-winning custom bikes. That history gives the studio a distinct character alongside its tattoo and piercing work.
As busy parents of three, Leigh and Kate run the studio with plans to expand into more locations in the future. Alongside tattoos and piercings, ECM also offers piercing jewellery, tooth gems, and gift vouchers, with an aftercare guide to help clients look after new work.
On Matakana Road in Warkworth, **ECM Tattoo & Body Piercing** occupies a building with more history than most studios can claim. It was once a motorcycle garage where owner Leigh and his dad built award-winning custom bikes, and today that same space is home to a family-run tattoo and piercing business that draws clients from well beyond the local area.
ECM was started by Leigh and Kate, a couple who turned their shared love of tattoos and piercings into a business. What began as a leap of faith has, in their words, become a resounding success — clients now travel for hours just to be tattooed or pierced by the team, a sign of the reputation the studio has built.
The studio offers both tattoo and piercing services, along with piercing jewellery, tooth gems, and gift vouchers for anyone wanting to give the experience as a gift. An aftercare guide is also available for clients wanting advice on looking after new tattoos or piercings.
Tattoo enquiries and bookings go directly through Laura, while piercing enquiries are handled through the studio's dedicated piercing contact line, keeping the two sides of the business running smoothly side by side.
ECM's setting in a converted motorcycle garage gives it a character that's hard to replicate — a workshop history repurposed for a new kind of craft. Leigh and Kate run the studio while raising three children, and describe themselves as humbled by how far the business has grown from what started as simply a dream.
With an eye on the future, the pair have plans to expand and potentially open further studios, but for now the Warkworth location remains the heart of ECM Tattoo & Body Piercing, welcoming both local clients and those willing to travel for quality tattoo and piercing work.
Anyone considering a new tattoo, piercing, or even a tooth gem can get in touch through the studio's contact page, or explore gift vouchers if buying for someone else.