Ink and a drink as residents try tattoos

With most having never experienced tattoos before, the retirement community’s residents were living life their way by rolling up their sleeves and getting large tattoos on their arms – temporarily of course.

Pam McCollum dressed up for the occasion and was certain she wouldn't want a real tattoo, but didn't mind the look of the skull and knife tattoo she had placed on her arm. "I said to my daughter if I ever got a tattoo, you'll know I've lost the plot! I don’t think I could sit still long enough to have one done but I do like this one though, probably because I know it's only temporary," says Pam.

The idea wasn’t so radical to Pam’s neighbour, Lorraine Olsen, who is well-known in the Te Awamutu retirement community for her hobby of Steampunk and knew exactly how to apply the tattoos. Lorraine regularly dresses up for Steampunk events and has been known to accessorize with hair dye and a temporary tattoo or two.

“I’ve been doing steampunk as a hobby for about twelve years and it covers a lot of genres. There’s the Industrial revolution era, futuristic, and Victorian. I love that you can be someone else in a costume and a tattoo can really complete the look,” Lorraine explains.

Having moved into Arvida Whai Mauri Ora village six months ago with her husband Brian, Lorraine says they made the best decision. "The property was large with a lot of garden and hedges, and it needed lots of maintenance. Moving here was just so much easier, plus we can get involved in fun social activities like this and just be ourselves. I like to dress up and I’m not changing for anyone, " she says.

Although Jenny Bullivant already has a small real tattoo on her inner arm, she still wasn’t so sure about getting the larger colourful tattoo at happy hour.

“Tattoos are a statement but I don’t think I’d ever go for a tattoo this big. I’ll stick to the temporary ones for now.”