Manu, loves her job, which you can see in her work.

She is known for her Polynesian tattoos, which she draws freehand and, if desired, immortalized on the skin.

Manu knows the various symbols and their meanings because she has studied them.

Thanks to her adoption from her Samoan mentor,

Maua Faleauto, sources are now also available to her via other symbols that can no longer be found in the public domain.

Thanks to her marquis sister, Sylvie Tamarii, Manu has access to the meanings.

Manu was spiritually adopted on Nov. 15, 2017 by the Samoan Matai, Maua Faleauto. Maua Faleauto is Manu's mentor, she was blessed by him and therefore has the right to do this deed.

Here is the official announcement:

Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand from Maua Faleauto.

O le Tufuga Tatau Feagai Manuela Kelley

I was invited to view the artistic tattooing work of Manu Kelley of Samoan Manu . I was impressed. My family are an ancient line of Tufuga Tatau. She has asked for guidance and support in pursuing her dream to keep our tattooing traditions alive. I am delighted to accept her and adopt her as my Samoan sister and to protect the work and alofa she has for our customs and traditions. Some men say that she has no place tattooing at all. I say that the gift that she has must be encouraged and that our women like Manu Kelley must be nurtured. I will never allow bullying or gender discrimination to harm our Aiga. So I have named her Feagai Manu Kelley o le Tufuga Tatau.

Manu's Polynesian styles in particular are, Samoan, Maori, Marquis, Hawaiian, Fijian, Filipino, Rarotonga, Micronesian, Tahiti, Tongan and Polynesian Fusion.

These patterns consist of symbols of power and protection, full of mystical secrets and they tell something about the wearer.

Manu succeeds in transferring this impressively to the body.

Maoris Kirituhi also emphasize the muscles in men and decorate the curves in women, which Manu is particularly good at.

Manu wins 1st place 8 times at the Tatau Awards championships, in Polynesian style, in 2017-2019. These Tatau Awards consist of the top 100 best Polynesian tattoo artists in the world, also found on Facebook as a public vote.

Since January 2020, Manu has been given the honorary position of leading these world championships, the Tatau Awards. Because of this and because she is now part of the jury, she no longer takes part in these championships.

Given the versatility and 20 years of experience with which Manu has used the tattoo needle, it is not surprising that she has also made a name for herself for her realistic tattoos, intricate overlays, and styles of all kinds.