About
Hair & Barber New Zealand is the first port of call for government, media, hairdressers, barbers, consumers, suppliers and educators for all matters relating to the industry.
We are a not-for-profit and the only organisation in New Zealand that represents the needs of hairdressers and barbers in business today.
All our members are or have professional, qualified staff to meet New Zealand's highest hairdressing and barbering standards.
Our members get access to great member benefits, discounts on our quality business products and invitations to networking events, seminars, workshops, and much more.
We also offer professional guidance in answering questions that arise within the industry.
The Associations four Pillars of Strength are:
ADVOCACY:
Advocate for better standards in the hairdressing and barbering industries
– Liaise with government
– Qualified Professionals
– Best Practice
– Qualifications
BUSINESS:
Provide the hair and barber industries with the best practice processes to grow business capability
– Quality + Care
– Membership
– Business resources
– Policies & Procedures
CREATIVITY:
Promote and support creativity
– Live, Editorial & Online Competitions
– Hairdressing & Barbering Awards
– Seminars & Workshops
– Webinars
DEVELOPMENT:
Develop our people through education & sustainable practices
– Training
– Education
– Professional Development
Meet the Team
Executive Board
Simone Jones
Co-Chair
Simone joined the H&BNZ board as she wanted to see a change in the professionalism of our industry and felt what better way than to be part of it. Simone leads the association’s ‘Business’ pillar and is passionate about “making it easy” for our members to access resources, information and support. She understands how busy it is to work full time in the hair industry, look after your team and run a business. Simone works in her salon, Headstart Total Body, with her team of 7 and when she’s not working, you’ll find her spending time with her family.
Jeremy Scarle
Co-Chair
creative@hairandbarbernz.org.nz
Jeremy started his hairdressing career 17 years ago through an apprenticeship in his hometown of Taranaki. Mentoring and training apprentices have been a passion for many years, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the qualification and the importance of striving to be qualified and Jeremy is also an Industry Assessor. Based in Auckland, Jeremy runs his own business, Coiffed by Jeremy Stuart and his spare time is spent training in competitive Ballroom and Latin American dancesport.
Jess Corbett
advocacy@hairandbarbernz.org.nz
Jess has wide range of experience, having been a salon owner, hairdressing tutor and now Head of Premier Institute of Education New Zealand, helping to shape the next wave of future stylists.
Jess is currently sitting on the WDC Advisory board for the Beauty therapy qualification reviews.
Her passion lies in education with a focus on helping bridge the gap between education and employment ensuring the voice and feedback from industry is always heard.
Jess is excited to have the opportunity to work alongside the other members of the executive board to create the best environment we can for hairdressers and barbers to thrive, and is incredibly interested in what the new qualification being launched will do to improve our industry and the information we can share around this topic with association members.
Michelle Marsh
development@hairandbarbernz.org.nz
Michelle Marsh is the director of Surreal Hair and Beauty, Christchurch. Michelle loves working with large teams, is very passionate about training, and has always trained apprentices. She loves watching young people learn and grow.
Michelle has been in the industry for 38 years, starting as an apprentice, was a salon manager and then worked for L’Oreal for five years in sales and education before becoming a salon owner.
Michelle feels our profession has some challenges ahead and is pleased to be part of a team that finds solutions. Michelle is leading the development pillar, growing the association, elevating our profession and restoring a level of professionalism.
Carla Ta’akimoeaka
business@hairandbarbernz.org.nz
Carla has been hairdressing for 15 years and braiding for 25+ years and started her career in Sydney and in 2015 moved home to NZ. In 2020 she opened NZ’s first official curl hairdressing salon, aiming to provide a safe space for clients of all ethnicities and backgrounds, providing premium services for all textures.
Carla plans to scale the business and support education in our profession, especially around natural textures, promoting inclusivity and representation for both our market and also our industry.
Chief Executive
Niq James
Niq James has been in the hair industry for over 30 years and has been the artistic director of the successful Christchurch Central City salon, Headspace and Dapper for over 20 years.
As a well-respected educator, he knows the importance of education to ensure the future growth of staff, salons, and the profession. Niq is a qualified hairdresser and master barber and holds the international IPSN qualification and also holds teacher accreditation with Pivot Point International, and has New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching.
Niq also has a strong background in competition work and was former Competition Chair with NZARH. Niq represented New Zealand judging international competitions in Australia, Switzerland, London, Germany and Brazil. Whether training for work in the salon or on the competition floor, Niq believes it is education that is paramount to the success of the profession.
Niq was the Chair of Hair & Barber New Zealand from 2022-2024 for four years, and over this time he lead the team through some major milestones, including the Industry Response to COVID-19, a rebrand to Hair & Barber New Zealand, and the launch of the accreditation programme Quality + Care®.
