Brought to life by HITO | Te Pūkenga, Kitomba Salon & Spa Software and Hair & Barber New Zealand, The Industry Awards recognise the best training, business and creative talent in New Zealand’s hair, beauty and barbering industries. In the lead-up to this year’s event, The Industry Awards have announced this year’s finalists.

The winners will be revealed at The Industry Awards 2023 awards evening on Sunday 12 November at The Cordis in Tāmaki Makaurau, hosted by Hall of Fame inductee, 4x Educator of the Year, and 4x Excellence in Education recipient, Tracey Hughes.

“The hair and beauty industry is filled with passion and creativity, and the people in it have a level of tenacity not displayed in other industries – it never ceases to impress me,” says Larissa Macleman of The Salon Owner’s Collective – a platinum sponsor of The Industry Awards 2023. “We’re proud to be supporting the incredible achievements of not just those being recognised in the awards but the industry as a whole – especially during and despite the challenges of the last few.”

The Industry Awards received a record number of submissions this year, with over 500 entries across its training, business and creative award categories. Each finalist has demonstrated a passion for their craft and a commitment to raising the standards of the industry.

“International judges were blown away with the incredibly high standard of New Zealand hairdressing and barbering.” says Niq James, co-chair of Hair & Barber New Zealand.

While The Industry Awards was officially coined in 2010 and it’s continued to evolve each year, its roots trace back far earlier to 2003.

“The Industry Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate apprentices, trainers, and assessors who are investing so much time and eort to ensure the future success of our vibrant industries,” says Kay Nelson, division director of HITO | Te Pūkenga.

“The Awards create a space for individuals and businesses to take a step back and see how they’re achieving success. We have been dedicated to helping hair and beauty businesses be more successful for 21 years, and we’re honoured to have played a crucial role in The Industry Awards since its inception,” adds Alyssa Dowsett, General Manager of Kitomba Salon and Spa Software.

The Industry Awards wouldn’t be possible without the help of its sponsors, which include L’Oréal, The Salon Owner’s Collective, Dyson, ghd, Wella, Telesmart, Schwarzkopf, Excel Digital, NZ Hair and Beauty, Comfortel and OneMusic New Zealand.

Below, is the full list of finalists for The Industry Awards 2023.

Training Awards

Hairdressing Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Excel Digital

• Summer Rasmussen, Opulence Hair Salon
• Alexandra Maree Kenny, Morgan and Morgan The Hair Collective
• Gemma Rose Dowse, Ryder Salon

Beauty Therapy Apprentice of the Year

• Taylor Rose Simpson, Pure Aesthetics
• Lucy Greer, FACE | Body & Beauty Clinic
• Shelly Ann Dale, Bella Me Skin and Body

Workplace of the Year – Sponsored by NZ Hair & Beauty

• Pamper Me MediSpa
• Reds Hair
• FACE | Body & Beauty Clinic

Industry Trainer of the Year – Sponsored by Telesmart

• Patricia Ross, Ross & Co Hair Design
• Helen Biddle-Cotton, Urban Kurl Studio
• Olivia Hopkins, Rodney Wayne Bethlehem

Industry Assessor of the Year

• Simone Jones, Headstart Total Body
• Sarah Martin, RA Hair and Beauty
• Sarah Mary Fletcher, Skin Craft Beauty Therapy

Business Awards

New Zealand Hair Salon of the Year – Sponsored by L’Oréal

• Hair Scene – Hair & Beauty
• Ross & Co Hair Design
• UNA
• Buoy Salon
• Dream Hair
• Zibido Hair

New Zealand Beauty Salon of the Year – Sponsored by Salon Owners Collective

• Blush Skin Clinic
• FACE | Body & Beauty Clinic
• Skin & Beauté
• Amplified Cosmetica Makeup and Beauty Studio
• Bessie S

Top Performing Stylist of the Year – Sponsored by Schwarzkopf

• Mathias Te Moananui, Buoy Salon and Spa
• Haley Cron, Zen Hair
• Carla Thompson, Hair Art & Beauty
• Andrew Cobeldick, Buoy Salon and Spa
• Krystle Anderson, Dream Hair

Best Salon Design – Sponsored by Dyson

• Kirkwoods Barbers
• Lash Religion
• Goodhood Hair
• Dime Friday
• Tommy Gun’s New Zealand

Excellence in Marketing

• Ross & Co Hair Design
• Meiko
• Urban Kurl Studio
• Dream Hair
• FACE | Body & Beauty Clinic

Sustainable Salon of the Year

• Clip Joint Hairdressing
• Hair Art & Beauty
• Pure Hair
• Hair Technique
• RA Hair and Beauty

Creative Awards – view the creative entries here.

Editorial Stylist of the Year – Colour Concept

• Heather Newcombe, Laboratorie Cut Colour Makeup
• Jess Millar, Mancraft Barbers
• Nicole Turner, Ru & Co
• Kylie Crutchley, Sliver Haircutters
• Hine Huia Te Awhe
• Emily Chant, Hair Technique
• Andrew Cobeldick, Buoy Salon & Spa
• Sarah McGuigan, Savvy Hair Design
• Kylie Hayes, Moha Hairdressing
• Haley Cron, Zen Hair
• Melanie Langley, Bedlam Hair Design & Bliss Day Spa
• Liana King-Biddulph, Zen Hair
• Daniel Lockett, KN Colab

Editorial Stylist of the Year – Cover Shot

• Heather Newcombe, Laboratorie Cut Colour Makeup
• Chetan Mongia, Laboratorie Cut Colour Makeup
• Renee Farmer, Crèmebrûlée Hair, Makeup and Nails
• Tania Waipuka, MANE Salon
• Andrew Cobeldick, Buoy Salon & Spa
• Wei Jiang, Buoy Salon & Spa
• Kerrie Jordan, KN Colab
• Jen Hinson, Moha Hairdressing
•  Kylie Hayes, Moha Hairdressing
•  Hannah Culpan, Moha Hairdressing
• Carl Manderson, Liberté Salon & Spa
• Daniel Lockett, KN Colab

Editorial Stylist of the Year – Derek Elvy Visionary Award

• Danelle Radel, Klone Hair
• Renee Farmer, Crèmebrûlée Hair, Makeup and Nails
• Gretchen de Beer, Opulence Hair Salon
• Te Warena, Weltec | Te Pūkenga
• Andrew Cobeldick, Buoy Salon & Spa
• Wei Jiang, Buoy Salon & Spa
• Te Awhi Aroha Waetford, Zibido Hair
• Kerrie Jordan, KN Colab
• Jen Hinson
• Kylie Hayes, Moha Hairdressing
• Karl Radel, Klone Hair
• Carl Manderson, Liberté Salon & Spa
• Lily Williams, Nspyre Red

Editorial Stylist of the Year – Next Generation – Sponsored by Wella

• Heather Newcombe, Laboratorie Cut Colour Makeup
• Tayla Corban, Crèmebrûlée Hair, Makeup and Nails
• Molly Rowe, MANE Salon
• Yana Green, Balayage
• Jessica Wilson, Zibido Hair
• Abby Robinson, Savvy Hair Design
• Hannah Culpan, Moha Hairdressing
• Bay Silver, KN Colab

Editorial Stylist of the Year – Hot Shot New Talent – Sponsored by ghd

• Zyon Honan, Kirkwood Barbers
• Phoebe Robinson, Zibido Hair
• Kelvin Nguyen, Buoy Salon & Spa
• Melody Dane, Nspyre Red
• Mya Perano-Gardiner, Beyond the Fringe Hair Design
• Percy Martin, RA Hair & Beauty
• Elizabeth Edie, RA Hair & Beauty

Patrick Cameron Instagram Challenge – Senior

• Kate Drayton, Opulence Hair Salon
• Gretchen de Beer, Opulence Hair Salon
• Emily Chant, Hair Technique
• Alysha Haywood, Hair Technique
• Gemma Dowse

Patrick Cameron Instagram Challenge – Next Generation

• Ruby Aitken, Nspyre Red
• Shaniah Kelly, Daisy Jake Hairdressing
• Caitlin Jowsey-Bourke, Zibido Hair
• Phoebe Robinson, Zibido Hair
• Casey Roberts, Jax Hair Studio
• Summer Rasmussen, Opulence Hair Salon

Editorial Barber of the Year

• Hauwhenua Kirkwood, Kirkwoods Barbers
• Jose Rafel Meneses, Barba Mens Grooming Boutique
• Matthew Grin, Barba Mens Grooming Boutique
• Boaz Mellor, Mancraft Barbers
• Hailey Jenner, Mancraft Barbers Taupō
• Jess Millar, Mancraft Barbers
• Millie Beckham, Jax Hair Studio
• Vanessa White , Vision Hair & Beauty

Editorial Barber of the Year – Next Generation

• Zyon Honan, Kirkwood Barbers
• Taikehu Tanui, Kirkwood Barbers
• Ted Mackie, Kirkwood Barbers
• Boaz Mellor, Mancraft Barbers
• Hailey Jenner, Mancraft Barbers
• Devahrny Shelford, Mancraft Barbers
• Jess Millar, Mancraft Barbers

Congratulations to all the finalists!

Tickets to the awards evening on Sunday 12 November 2023 can be purchased here.