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The Hair Industry Training Organisation (HITO) held their annual awards – for the first time in conjunction with the Kitomba Business Awards- at a grand dinner function at the Christchurch Convention Centre on Saturday 17 October…

The Hair Industry Training Organisation (HITO) held their annual awards – for the first time in conjunction with the Kitomba Business Awards- at a grand dinner function at the Christchurch Convention Centre on Saturday 17 October. The awards showcased the future stars of the industry, the success of inspirational tutors and excellence within businesses, celebrating and recognising a range of hairdressing achievement.

A red carpet led the guests, dressed to perfection, into the lavishly decorated dinning room, with soft lighting adding to the glamour of the evening. Guests from salons all over New Zealand enjoyed delicious food and wine alongside their peers and industry professionals, in the elegantly decorated venue.

Below: 2009 winner Ria Wikio and Emily Frew. (photo supplied.)

Below: Gary and Anne Marie Wilkinson from Rodney Wayne Hamilton enjoy the ambience of the evening.

Mana Dave, New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year 2008 and stylist at Auckland’s Blaze Salon, took on the role of host for the evening, describing the event as a “celebration of excellence and achievement”. Throughout the evening, guests were entertained by the Urban Beats dance crew (who even had a few hairdressers battling it out in a dance off!), and the supportive and entertaining interludes from Dave.

Below: Guests seated for dinner and the awards presentation in the elegantly decorated Convention Centre.

The evening began with HITO CEO Erica Cumming introducing the finalists for Apprentice of the Year, the most sought after award of the evening. Cumming said they were looking for “the apprentice plus”, an individual who truly stood out as a rising star in the industry. The announcement of the winner was left until the end of the evening, and you could have cut the suspense in the air with scissors!

Apprentice of the year Emily Frew (left) and runner up Kate Coxhead.

Tutor of the year went to Chris Leithbridge, Head Tutor and Head of School at the Manawatu Education Academy. The Tutor of the Year award recognises outstanding tutors, and highlights their importance in the industry. HITO Training Salon of the year went to Reds Hair in Pukerua Bay.

Niq James, who has personally donated money to HITO for the World Skills events, presented the first place award to Laura Simpson. The competition encourages young people to excel, recognises skills and raises standards. Simpson will be flown to London in October to compete against hairdressers from over 50 countries. James believes the world skills competitions “can take our industry to new heights, so let’s make an interest in their future.”

Laura Simpson, winner of the World Skills Award, with HITO CEO Erica Cumming (far left). Deniece Walters, awarded silver, and Stephanie Winters (right), awarded bronze, applaud Simpson.

The Jasmine MacBeth Memorial Scholarship aims at recognising and supporting hairdressers who have gone beyond just being a hairdresser. Reremoana (Moana) Ridell, from Hair Scene Hair and Beauty in Whangaparaoa won the award, and was looking forward to making the most out of the opportunity.

Below: Team members from Abstraxt Hairdressing and Hair Scene Hair and Beauty.

The Kitomba Business Awards recognise salon owners and senior stylists. L’Oreal Professional Entrepreneur of the Year went to Belinda Watson form Biba in Auckland. Schwarzkopf Business Stylist of the Year, Sasha Lenski of Bettjemans in Auckland, judged on re-bookings and utilisation, won $1000 worth of products. Employer of Choice award winner Jacqui Victor from True Grit won $1000 from Telecom towards their telephone and broadband costs, “providing a safe, stimulating environment in which their people can excel”. NZARH Supreme Salon was awarded to Ursula Harris Hair Design in Nelson. Fastest Growing Salon went to Karen and David from KarenDavid. Bettjemans won Salon HQ Excellence in Marketing for their innovative use of Twitter and Facebook. Boutique Business of the year went to Hype in Auckland. Classic Business of the Year went to Biba in Auckland. Kitomba 2010 Business Salon of the Year went to “…a superbly run business”, Bettjemans of Auckland.

Below: Winners on the night.

As the event drew to a close, the award everyone had been waiting for was finally announced. Kate Coxhead from Rodney Wayne Hamilton was awarded first Runner up, and HITO Apprentice of the Year went to Emily Frew from Biba Boutique Salon in Auckland, who said she’d had the goal of winning posted on her mirror all year, and was ecstatic to have achieved it. The success of the award will project her into the limelight, and help her become a recognised and respected hairdresser of the future.

Dave concluded that the awards are “what builds our industry”, recognising talented, up and coming individuals in the hairdressing industry, giving them the recognition they deserve, and supporting the people that inspire and teach them. The festivities continued into the night, no doubt with a few toasts to be made, and plenty of inspiration for next year!

Team members from True Grit Hair Spa. Owner Jacqui Victor (not pictured) won the Telecom Employer of Choice Award.

Annerosa Weber from Wella and Alicia-Ana from Niq James Hair.

Natalie McCarthey and Shannon Roper from Schwarzkopf Professional.

By Jessica Tappenden
Photography: Samantha Key


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