Terje Koloamatangi is of Tongan and Norwegian Sami ancestry. Born in Nuku’alofa Tongatapu with family ties to Kolovai, Pangaimotu Vava’u and Åmøy, in Northern Norway. 

He is an artist and professional tattooist. The focus of his work is the revival of customary Tongan Tātatau. 

His passion for Tātatau has fuelled his ongoing research into the history of Tongan Tattooing, which in turn has informed a significant portion of his art practice. Terje owns and operates Small Axe Studio, an art space and tattoo studio in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.