HITO Awards Winners Announced
16 November 2012
For immediate release
The HITO Awards celebrate excellence in training in the hairdressing industry.
The winners of the 2012 HITO Awards were announced on Sunday November 11th at the 5th Annual Industry Awards in
Wellington. The Industry Awards are hosted by HITO and Kitomba/NZARH.
The Old Town Hall was full for this exciting evening that brought together the top businesses, apprentices, trainers and
tutors in the hairdressing industry. Finger waves, feathers and flapper dresses abounded as guests dressed to the nines
in the Art Deco theme, while Fuse Circus provided exciting aerial-acrobatic entertainment.
Mana Dave, NZ Hairdresser of the Year and owner of BLAZE in Auckland, hosted the Awards.
Erica Cumming, HITO CEO said, “The Industry Awards were again a time to bring together people in the hairdressing and
barbering industries to celebrate success in business and training. There was a real community feel within the room as
all finalists received resounding levels of support and recognition. This was a night where the hairdressing and
barbering industries truly shone.”
Jasmine McBeth Memorial Scholarship recipient Kaleb Pritchard from Auckland’s BLAZE reminded us all how important it is
to be dedicated to what we do.
“He reminded us how determined Jasmine was, and that we should all have that level of dedication to our profession,”
says Erica.
The HITO Apprentice of the Year award is a highly prized award and was hotly contended for again this year. Marianna
Brown from Do. Hairstyling in Christchurch took out the winning title this year. She was overwhelmed with her award and
is committed to being a leader in the industry.
“I am heartened to see the level of passion and commitment to training within the industry and I know that the future is
in good hands with these recipients as future leaders,” says Erica.
Please read on for a full list of the HITO Awards winners:
HITO Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Marianna Brown from Do. Hairstyling, Christchurch
Runner up: Kirsty Nicholls
HITO Regional Apprentice of the Year
Auckland regional winner: Laura Williams from Jan Waite Hairdressing
Northern regional winner: Moana Riddell from Hair Scene - Hair and Beauty
Midland regional winner: Alannah Goldsmith from House of Elliott Hairdressing
Mid-Central regional winner: Kirsty Nicholls
Central regional winner: Megan Stovell-Dundas from Headstart Hair Design
Northern South regional winner: Marianna Brown from Do. Hairstyling
Sothern South regional winner: Amelia Nicholson from Total Image Hair, Skin and Body
Jasmine McBeth Memorial Scholarship
Finalist: Kaleb Pritchard from BLAZE, Newmarket
Finalist: Annalee Tasker from Hair 2 Go, Napier
Finalist: Karl Edwards from Salon One The Cove, Tauranga
Recipient: Kaleb Pritchard from BLAZE, Newmarket, Auckland
HITO Training Salon of the Year 2012
Nominee: En Jay Hair Company, Mount Maunganui. Owner/Director: Nicky Robertson
Nominee: Hair Scene - Hair and Beauty, Whangaparaoa. Owner/Trainer/Managing Director: Linley Wade
Nominee: Blue Cactus Hairdressing, Wellington Central. Salon Owner: Larissa Macleman
Nominee: Vogue Kaiapoi Hair Spa, Christchurch. Salon Owner: Lisa Steele
Nominee: Morgan & Morgan Urban Retreat, Takapuna. Salon Manager: Eric Ladd
Winner: Blue Cactus Hairdressing, Wellington Central. Salon Owner: Larissa Macleman
HITO Tutor of the Year 2012
Nominee: Sonia Baker-Johnston, Senior Lecturer at Manukau Institute of Technology
Nominee: Serena Wallace, Head of Hairdressing Department at Cut Above Academy
Nominee: Lynette Joseph, Senior Hairdressing Tutor at Bay Of Plenty Polytechnic
Nominee: Robyn Collins, Off Job Training Lecturer at Whanganui UCOL
Winner: Lynette Joseph, Senior Hairdressing Tutor at Bay Of Plenty Polytechnic
HITO Trainer of the Year 2012
Nominee: Tracey Larcombe from Ahead in Hair, Christchurch
Nominee: Robyn Collins from Indetech
Winner: Robyn Collins from Indetech
HITO Photographic Competition
Facebook People’s Choice Winner: Daina Taurarii - The Hairdressing College, Palmerston North
People’s Choice Winner: Tom Burke - Corkin and Friends, Christchurch
Judge’s Choice Winner: Louise Howlett - High Street Hair, Leeston
HITO congratulates each of the award winners for the excellence and commitment they show in our industry.
The winners of the Kitomba/NZARH Business Awards were also announced.
Special thanks to our sponsors Dateline, Goldwell, Schwarzkopf, De Lorenzo, KJ Scissors, Shock Consult and Dancoly for
supporting the HITO Awards.
ENDS