Better ink stories: NZ cops bare tattoos online

Stories of strength and love could be inked beneath this shirt. Photo / File

They have better work stories, and now New Zealand Police officers are sharing their ink stories, too.

The new initiative on the New Zealand Police's Instagram is encouraging officers to share the stories behind their tattoos.

First up was Constable Stephen Kittle, who works with the Taupo Public Safety Team. His impressive full-length leg tattoo was done by Taupo tattooist Kingi Pitiroi.

Kittle said the double koru represented strength, and the long sweeping curves were the bow of a waka representing a journey and travel.

It signified his journey from Britain to his new life in New Zealand, his family, travel, love of the outdoors and nature, and his time with police.

View this post on Instagram

Constable Stephen Kittle got his Kirituhi tattoo done by Kingi Pitiroi in Taupo. The double Koru represents strength and the long sweeping curves are the bow of a waka representing journey and travel. For Stephen, it’s about his journey from the UK and subsequent life in NZ, his family past and present, his travels throughout his life, his love of the outdoors and nature, and time spent in the NZ police. #NZPoliceInk

A post shared by New Zealand Police 🚨 (@newzealandpolice) on Aug 9, 2016 at 9:55pm PDT

Constable Rasau Kalivati also shared his turtle tattoo, which he commissioned to give him strength after his dad died in 2002.

View this post on Instagram

Constable Rasau Kalivati is half Fijian, half English. He got his turtle tattoo after his Dad passed away in 2002. It's specifically placed on the inside of his weaker arm to remind him that his Dad is always with him to give him strength in life #NZPoliceInk

A post shared by New Zealand Police 🚨 (@newzealandpolice) on Sep 11, 2016 at 3:04pm PDT

The posts are the latest in a series of engaging photos on the Instagram account - including a photo of cannabis stuffed in the backseat of a police car, the use of the hashtag #safercoffeestogether and Byron the dog in uniform.

View this post on Instagram

Want to give information about crime without revealing your identity? Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit them online www.crimestoppers-nz.org #safercommunitiestogether (Photo: Constable Tony Gardner)

A post shared by New Zealand Police 🚨 (@newzealandpolice) on Jan 13, 2016 at 3:04pm PST

View this post on Instagram

Good mornings start with good coffees #safercoffeestogether

A post shared by New Zealand Police 🚨 (@newzealandpolice) on Sep 14, 2016 at 1:56pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Byron looks thoughtful about filing his next re-pawt. NZPolice #photooftheday (photo: Constable Raymond Matthews)

A post shared by New Zealand Police 🚨 (@newzealandpolice) on Jan 12, 2016 at 1:36pm PST

Police have been lauded for its social campaigns recently. A video of its officers doing the ''running man'' dance won a national award and sparked an international dance-off with police divisions worldwide.

A campaign to recruit and retain women officers also won a diversity award, and another recruitment campaign - a social experiment to see if New Zealanders stopped to help people in need - also gained traction.