Rhys Thomas Tattoo is a Wellington-based tattoo artist working out of Whitetail Tattoo on Dixon Street in Te Aro. Rhys works across blackwork, fine line, colour and traditional tattoo styles, describing his approach as a mix of real reference, western traditional, and modern-day blackwork, with the occasional fine line piece in between.
Rhys got into tattoos in the '90s, secretly flipping through Thrasher and tattoo magazines at the local bookstore in the small town where he grew up, between waves and skate sessions. He's been tattooing professionally for years since, and says he still treats every piece like it's the one someone has to live with for the rest of their life — because it is.
Booking happens directly through Instagram DM or email, where Rhys reviews your idea, rough size, placement and any reference images before replying with availability and a quote. Smaller to medium pieces are usually booked a few weeks out, while larger custom work or sleeves can take a month or two depending on the queue. A small non-refundable deposit secures a booking date and covers design and consult time, coming off the final price on the day. Free consultations are offered for larger, more involved pieces.
Tucked into Whitetail Tattoo on Dixon Street in Wellington's Te Aro, Rhys Thomas has built a practice around a mix of styles: blackwork, fine line, colour, and western traditional tattooing, often blending real reference imagery with modern blackwork technique.
Rhys's path into tattooing started in the '90s, secretly reading Thrasher and tattoo magazines at the local bookstore in the small town where he grew up, in between waves and skate sessions. That early fascination stuck, and he's now been tattooing professionally for years, describing his approach with a simple philosophy: every piece is treated like it's the one someone has to live with for the rest of their life — because it is.
Rhys's portfolio spans traditional pieces like a black and grey eagle perched above a girl's head, a mermaid and roses back piece, and floral cuff bands, alongside bold blackwork work including a snarling panther head, a solid black wolf head, a crocodile head, and a tiger head rendered in negative space. Fine line and dotwork pieces sit alongside these — a horse, dagger and small four-petal tattoo on the hand and fingers is one example — and colour work includes portrait pieces like a staffy dog surrounded by red flowers.
Rhys's reviews consistently point to a calm, professional approach. One client says he's "a true craftsman" who makes every session a pleasure, while another notes his work has aged well and the colours have packed in beautifully years on. Clients describe him as gentle, respectful, and able to translate a wide range of reference material into a finished tattoo, with several returning again and again for further sessions, sleeves, and full-arm or leg pieces.
To book with Rhys, clients reach out via Instagram DM to @pokestaytattoo or by email, describing what they have in mind, a rough size, placement, and any reference images. Rhys replies with availability and a quote. Smaller to medium pieces are usually booked a few weeks ahead, while larger custom work or full sleeves can take a month or two depending on the current queue, so it's worth reaching out early if you have a specific date in mind, like a birthday, anniversary, or trip to Wellington.
Most of Rhys's schedule is booked in advance, though he does open up occasional walk-in or short-notice slots — worth keeping an eye on his Instagram for those opportunities. For larger or more involved pieces, Rhys offers a free consultation, preferring to sit down and talk through an idea properly rather than working purely from a DM thread. Smaller bookings are usually worked out directly in chat.
A small, non-refundable deposit is required to secure a booking date. It covers the time spent on design and consultation, and comes off the final price of the tattoo on the day of the session.
Rhys works from Whitetail Tattoo, on Level 3 of 41-47 Dixon Street in Te Aro, Wellington. Anyone interested in booking, or simply wanting some advice on an idea, is invited to send a DM on Instagram or an email, and Rhys will follow up with a quote and some potential dates.