Hair
The Industry Awards recognizes the exceptional skills, innovation, and passion of stylists and hair salons across New Zealand.
Whether you are a starting out as an apprentice, or own multiple businesses, there is an award for everyone to enter.
Training Awards
Hairdressing Apprentice of the Year
Awarded to the best “all-round” hairdressing apprentice, the Hairdressing Apprentice of the Year must show commitment to their training and the desire to improve in all areas, whilst demonstrating how they’d be a worthy ambassador for HITO and the industry.
Industry Assessor of the Year
The Industry Assessor of the Year award acknowledges a HITO Industry Assessor who offers excellent service to HITO apprentices. Industry Assessors must show a passion for their industry, qualifications and supporting the apprentices they assess.
Industry Trainer of the Year
The Industry Trainer of the Year award acknowledges an individual who offers excellent training to current HITO apprentices. Industry Trainers must show how they support the training and success of their apprentices and the wider industry.
Workplace of the Year
The Workplace of the Year is awarded to a barbershop, beauty clinic or hair salon that offers exceptional training to HITO apprentices. The workplace must show a strong commitment to training and qualifications and have an excellent record of training success in their business.
Business Awards
New Zealand Hair Salon of the Year
The New Zealand Hair Salon of the Year award celebrates a hair or barbering business that is at the top of its game and displays all-round strong performance. With a focus on planning and growth, the winner of this award clearly achieves phenomenal results in their overall business numbers and success.
Top Performing Stylist of the Year
In this award, the judges are looking for a stylist or barber that consistently and successfully delivers on key business measures as well as providing exceptional service to their clients.
Excellence in Marketing
The Excellence in Marketing award celebrates a business that has delivered successful marketing initiatives that achieved significant results for their salon, spa, clinic or barbershop. The winner of this award demonstrates planning, innovation, creativity and a clear understanding of their target market.
Best Salon Design
The Best Salon Design award celebrates a business that perfectly balances both form and function within their salon, spa, clinic or barbershop. From interior design to floor plan and location, the winning business provides the perfect look and feel for its target market while being practical and fit-for-purpose for their team.
Sustainable Salon of the Year
The Sustainable Salon of the Year award celebrates a business with a clear focus on sustainable practices which are an integral part of their day-to-day running.
Creative Awards
Editorial Stylist of the Year
The Editorial Stylist of the Year awards are for hairdressers wanting to expand their personal brand through photographic competition success. The overall Editorial Stylist of the Year is awarded to one of the winners of the below categories:
- Editorial Stylist of the Year - Colour Concept
- Editorial Stylist of the Year - Cover Shot
- Editorial Stylist of the Year - Derek Elvy
The winner of this award receives $1,000 NZD, + 2 tickets to The Industry Awards 2024 and 1 night’s accommodation donated by Hair & Barber New Zealand, plus an exclusive interview in Images Magazine that includes a profile on your salon and publication of your winning photographic shot.
Editorial Stylist of the Year - Colour Concept
The Editorial Stylist of the Year awards are for hairdressers wanting to expand their personal brand through photographic competition success. A high level of technical artistry will be demonstrated to produce a unique but progressive concept. Attention to current trends while also thinking ahead is a must.
The winner of this award will receive a commemorative trophy and $500.00 NZD donated by Hair & Barber New Zealand.
Editorial Stylist of the Year - Cover Shot
The Editorial Stylist of the Year awards are for hairdressers wanting to expand their personal brand through photographic competition success. While showcasing technical excellence of the hair is important, emphasis and consideration in creating an overall commercially photographed look is vital.
The winner of this award will receive a commemorative trophy and $500.00 NZD donated by Hair & Barber New Zealand.
Editorial Stylist of the Year - Derek Elvy Visionary Award
This award celebrates the creative genius of the late Derek Elvy. Derek worked closely with Hair & Barber New Zealand on the brief, which is to create a photographic image that is beautiful but arresting, contemporary and directional and have a technical challenge to it. Whilst the focus should be on hair, ultimately the judges will be asked to choose a fashion forward editorial shot that is progressive (Avant Garde).
The winner of the award will receive a commemorative perpetual trophy, $500.00 NZD and a ticket to the 2024 World of Wearable Arts donated by Hair & Barber New Zealand. They will also receive a published interview with Images Magazine.
Editorial Stylist of the Year - Next Generation (Under 4 Years)
The Editorial Stylist of the Year awards are for hairdressers wanting to expand their personal brand through photographic competition success. Whilst the focus should be on hair, ultimately the judges will be asked to choose a fashion forward editorial shot that is current or progressive.
This award is given to a stylist who has been in the industry for for less than four years (as at 31 October 2023) to celebrate the talent of the future of the industry. The winner of this award will receive a commemorative trophy and $500.00 NZD donated by Hair & Barber New Zealand.
Editorial Stylist of the Year - Hot Shot - New Talent (Under 1 Year)
The Editorial Stylist of the Year awards are for hairdressers wanting to expand their personal brand through photographic competition success. Whilst the focus should be on hair, ultimately the judges will be asked to choose a fashion forward editorial shot that is current or progressive.
This award is given to a stylist who has been in the industry for less than 12 months (as at 31 October 2023). It celebrates students by giving them a chance to showcase their creative talents. The winner of this award will receive a commemorative trophy and $500.00 NZD donated by Hair & Barber New Zealand.
Patrick Cameron Instagram Challenge - Senior
The Patrick Cameron Instagram Challenge for 2023 is all about ‘Bridal’, soft curls, intricate braids, elegant looks, whatever you think a bridal hairstyle looks like.
The winner of this award, will receive a one-on-one tutorial with Patrick Cameron MBE followed by lunch at his Taranaki home.
Patrick Cameron Instagram Challenge - Next Generation (Under 4 Years)
The Patrick Cameron Instagram Challenge for 2023 is all about ‘Bridal’, soft curls, intricate braids, elegant looks, whatever you think a bridal hairstyle looks like.
This award is given to a stylist who has been in the industry for for less than four years (as at 31 October 2023) to celebrate the talent of the future of the industry. The winner of this award will receive a Patrick Cameron Educational package.
Editorial Barber of the Year
The Editorial Barber of the Year awards are for barbers who want to expand their personal brand through photographic competition success. Barbers will demonstrate a high technical ability of barbering (skills) and techniques through design, shape and styling. This category is about demonstrating a progressive look integrated with strong traditional barbering fundamentals.
The winner of the Editorial Barber of the Year will receive $1,000.00 NZD, 2 tickets to The Industry Awards 2024 and 1 night’s accommodation donated by Hair & Barber New Zealand, plus an exclusive interview in Images Magazine including a profile on your barbershop and publication of your winning photographic shot.
Editorial Barber of the Year - Next Generation (Under 4 Years)
The Editorial Barber of the Year awards are for barbers who want to expand their personal brand through photographic competition success. Barbers will demonstrate a high technical ability of barbering (skills) and techniques through design, shape and styling. This category is about demonstrating a progressive look integrated with strong traditional barbering fundamentals.
This award is given to a barber who has been employed within the barbering industry for less than four years (as at 31 October 2023) to celebrate the talent of the future of the industry. The winner of this award will receive a commemorative trophy and $500.00 NZD donated by Hair & Barber New Zealand.
Editorial Barber of the Year - Hot Shot - Next Talent (Under 1 Year)
The Editorial Barber of the Year awards are for barbers who want to expand their personal brand through photographic competition success. Barbers will demonstrate a high technical ability of barbering (skills) and techniques through design, shape and styling. This category is about demonstrating a progressive look integrated with strong traditional barbering fundamentals.
This award is given to a barber who has been in the industry for less than 12 months (as at 31 October 2023). It celebrates students by giving them a chance to showcase their creative talents. The winner of this award will receive a commemorative trophy and $500.00 NZD donated by Hair & Barber New Zealand.
The Industry Awards is taking a break in 2024
HITO, Kitomba Salon and Spa Software and Hair & Barber New Zealand have announced that The Industry Awards will be taking a break in 2024.