Proud to display her indelible ink

DeArna Branson, 25, showed off her tattoos in the Miss Ink Auckland pageant. Photo / Supplied

DeArna Branson has 15 tattoos which she proudly showed off at the Miss Ink Auckland pageant.

The 25-year-old social work student was taking part in the country's largest tattoo pageant on Saturday night in Parnell, as competitors took to the stage in casual wear, formal wear and swimwear.

Judges were a panel of experts from within the tattoo, modelling and fashion industries.

Miss Branson, who also works part time at the Rotorua Museum Cafe, said she had her first tattoo when she was 16.

"It was a rose on my upper back. Of course the legal age for a tattoo in New Zealand is 18 but I had parental consent and my mum came with me, she's quite cool with that kind of stuff."

Other body art she has had done included a butterfly on her ankle, a perfume bottle on her calf, ribbon bows on her feet and a corset on her back.

"I think a lot of people think that tattoos have to have a meaning but I think every one of mine represents a different story. I've got tattoos during different parts of my life and to me it all kind of represents things, and even though they may not represent specific events or reasons, they still tell a story and still [are] significant to me," she said.

"Even if I regret them when I'm 50 years old, at that point in my life it was significant to me. I don't drink or smoke or any of the other stuff, so for me tattoos is kind of what I spend my money on, my hobby."

Miss Branson's tattoos have cost from $13 - a Friday the 13th special - to $900. She decided to take part in the pageant as it coincided with getting new tattoos done in Auckland last weekend. "I didn't place anything in the competition but had an amazing time," she said.

"This week they are announcing a wild card from each city so I'll keep my fingers crossed."