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If you are receiving a puhoro, if you are making a film about it, if you have returned to Taranaki after a four-month break at home, there are many things to consider.

First, for continuity of filming, I had to return to Aotearoa with the same body (so no ice cream this summer!), the same haircut and beard, the same clothes I wore last time (they have been washed!)

The puhoro, and the filming, also require a high level of grooming and hygiene. At any given moment, my naked (or nearly naked) body may be on display for filming or moko.

This requires diligence in grooming. Two daily showers, before and after tattooing. Now also including the use of chlorhexidine skin wash–which surgeons use on their hands–to make sure staph bacteria on my skin in the areas being tattooed are kept to a minimum.

And thorough rinsing, because chorhexidine is being used all around my genitals, but can’t be used on genital skin.

Regular beard and mustache trimming, regular manscaping of chest and pubic hair. Also making sure hair in the areas of tattooing are clipped close to the skin—hair on my legs and butt, the small patch of hair on my lower back, and the upper portions of my pubic hair.

Since I will be having spirals put on my butt cheeks, ink coming close to my butt crack, since Phil’s face will be close to my butt, butt hygiene is very important. I normally reach around, but now, to avoid my butt cheeks entirely, I’m reaching under, which is awkward and unfamiliar. And the hygiene still needs to be diligent, with medicated pads. I’ve even considered the use of a peri bottle.

I’ve never been so involved with my body, in such a regular and detailed way.

It’s almost become a Zen practice—preparing my body for moko, preparing the most intimate parts of my body for ink.

A sacred ritual.

I’m meeting videographer Mark today (Saturday, 9/22 here), meeting with Rangi and Phil tomorrow.

Moko resumes on Monday.

With an open heart, I prepare my mind, and my naked body.