Entry Rules & Requirements

• Hairdressing & Barbering Business entries are to include a team photo and all other entries are to include a headshot photo of the entrant.

•  By entering the awards, you agree to abide by the competition rules.

•  Entry fees apply and are non-refundable.

• Entries and supporting documents (where requested) are due by Wednesday
29 July 2026. No entries will be accepted after this date.

• Shortlisted finalists may be required to verify the information they have submitted if the evidence provided is not sufficient. All information received and submitted will be treated in the strictest confidence.

• Should the entrant change salons/barbershops after entering the competition their details will remain as the salon or training provider they entered under.

•  Entrants can submit their entry physically or digitally (e.g. a document, booklet or video presentation). Physical entries are to be sent to NZHA, C/- 84 Severn Street, Island Bay, Wellington 6023. If you would like your entry returned to you, please include a prepaid, self-addressed courier bag.

Please see the full business awards criteria here

Judging Process and Criteria

• Stage one of judging is carried out by NZHA representatives.

• Stage two of judging is carried out by hairdressing or barbering industry representatives, and/or business representatives.
 

Outlined below are the criteria used to judge the various awards.

2026 NZHA Hairdressing & Barbering Professional

Introductory Video – 10%

Growth in Sales Figures – 20%

Marketing and Digital Footprint – 10%

Industry Achievements – 10%

Future Goals – 10%

Overcoming Obstacles – 10%

Professional Development – 10%

Industry and Community contribution – 10%

References – 10%

 

2026 NZHA Hairdressing & Barbering Professional – Next Generation

Introductory Video – 10%

How it all began – 10%

Overcoming Obstacles – 10%

Future Goals – 20%

Growth in Sales Figures – 10%

Market & Digital Footprint – 10%

Professional Development – 10%

Industry Achievements – 10%

References – 10%

 

2026 NZHA Educator

Introductory Video – 10%

Mission Statement – 15%

Business Plan and Future Goals – 20%

Sales & Marketing – 10%

References – 15%

Professional Development – 10%

Outline of your Educational Package – 20%

 

2026 NZHA Hairdressing & Barbering Business

Introductory Brand Video – 10%

Growth in Sales Figures – 20%

Business Plan – 10%

Team Culture, Growth & Development – 10%

Professional & Personal Business Development – 10%

Overcoming Obstacles – 10%

Industry and Community contribution – 10%

Sales & Marketing – 10%

Sustainability – 10%

Please see the full business awards criteria here

 

2026 NZHA Terms and Conditions of Entry – Business Categories 

The New Zealand Hair Awards (NZHA) reserves the right to cancel a category with less than three entries submitted. Where possible, every attempt will be made to submit your entry into another category where your entry also meets the criteria. Please register your interest in entering a business category at office@newzealandhairawards.org.nz by 1st July. Completed entries can be received up until Wednesday 29th July.

By submitting entries into the NZHA, the entrant agrees to the following:

1.    Authenticity
The entrant declares that all information provided in their entry is true and correct, and is a true representation of the entrant’s professional output.
The entry represents the entrant's word that all permissions are cleared and documented.
 

2.    Integrity & Exclusivity
Entrants must disclose any issues that may compromise the integrity of the awards or are likely to cause their business to stop trading or operating in the 12 months following entry. These issues may include legal action, law changes, possible loss of funding, restructuring, or refinancing or other
Judges will not judge any entry where a conflict of interest arises.
The judge’s decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
 

3.    Copyright & Intellectual Property
The NZHA and H&BNZ acknowledge the moral rights of entrants under the Copyright Act 1994. The entrant is responsible for the legal integrity of their entry and must protect the NZHA and H&BNZ from any third-party claims regarding ownership or rights of the entries.
 

4.    Reproduction Rights
For three years following the closing date, the NZHA and H&BNZ may showcase entries across any current or future media platforms.
To protect the entrant's work, the NZHA and H&BNZ undertake not to sell or trade images for commercial gain to any third party without the entrant's written consent. Usage is strictly dedicated to celebrating and promoting the entrant's talent and the awards.

5.    Artistic Integrity & Recognition
The NZHA and H&BNZ are committed to the entrant's right to be identified as the author of their work. To respect the entrant's vision, the NZHA and H&BNZ will never intentionally edit, alter, or misrepresent any imagery, ensuring the integrity remains exactly as intended.

6.    Property Release
By entering, the entrant undertakes that they have obtained the permission of all parties associated with the entry for the NZHA and H&BNZ to hold their personal information for promotional purposes.
 

7.    Legal Responsibility
Should a situation arise that is not covered by the rules, the judges shall address it, and their decision will be final. The entrant agrees to indemnify the NZHA and H&BNZ against any disputes regarding the rights of their submitted entry.
 

8.    Insurance
While every entry is treated with the utmost care, the NZHA and H&BNZ cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to entries.
Maintaining appropriate insurance coverage is the entrant’s sole responsibility.
 

9.    Privacy
All entries are treated with confidence.
Each judge is required to sign a confidentiality agreement, preventing them from divulging any information gained in relation to entrants. The NZHA and H&BNZ may hold personal information (name, contact details, place of employment/study) for the purposes of promoting the awards, competitions, and events.
 

10.    Trophy
Should the entrant move to another salon or barbershop, the winner's trophy remains with the winning entrant.

Along with an entry, entrants must provide:

• A completed entry form.

• All evidence and supporting documents.

• Hairdressing Business and Barbering Business awards only - A digital hi-res, landscape/horizontal photo of the salon or barbershop team. This may be used on social media, on the NZHA website, and in the presentation at NZHA event.

All other categories are to a headshot photo of the entrant.