Education
An Invercargill hairdressing student has won the top national title for emerging stylists at the New Zealand Hair Awards.
Southern Institute of Technology student Haylee Clark won the 2026 NZHA Patrick Cameron Bridal Challenge: Next Generation at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday night. Fellow SIT student Holly Wolf placed fourth, putting two SIT students in the top five nationally from a record number of entries.
Both students had been selected among the top 10 finalists nationally before the awards.
SIT hairdressing tutor Helen Lee travelled to Wellington with the students alongside fellow tutor Trish Dowling. Lee said it was the most incredible evening.
"Haylee's result is particularly significant as the category had attracted a record number of entries this year."
"It has been remarkable seeing just how far Haylee has progressed since joining SIT's New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Stylist) Level 4 programme in March."
Clark has been in the hairdressing industry for about 18 months. The category is open to students, trainees and hairdressers who have been qualified for less than four years.
When she was first announced as a finalist, Haylee admitted she was stunned.
"I was so shocked. It still hasn't really sunk in, what I've achieved."
She drew inspiration for her competition entry from Patrick Cameron style books, using different images to help develop her own bridal hairstyle.
Holly's fourth placing added to what Lee described as an exceptional result for the school. When the pair were originally named as finalists, Wolf said simply reaching the top 10 had already felt like a victory.
"Just being in that top 10 is more than enough for us, even if neither of us win, it does feel like we've won already."
Wolf also valued being able to share the experience with Haylee.
"We're quite blessed with both of us being finalists and to be able to experience it together. This is such an amazing achievement for us and we're really, really proud of ourselves."
The competition carries the name of internationally recognised, UK-based New Zealand hairdresser Patrick Cameron MBE, regarded as a leading specialist in long hair and bridal styling.
Before the awards ceremony, Haylee and Holly met Cameron, who spoke with them about their journeys in hairdressing and asked where they were training.
Lee said Holly spoke with confidence during the encounter. Seeing both students succeed on a national platform was an emotional moment.
"As their tutor to witness their success and showcase SIT on this platform was overwhelming to say the least."
This year's challenge called for soft curls, intricate braids and elegant styling, with entrants submitting professional photographs designed to capture both a romantic image and an aspirational finished bridal look.
Lee had initially encouraged the Level 4 class to enter the competition to give students experience in competition work. Three students put themselves forward.
Clark will receive a training package in addition to her winner's trophy. Having almost completed her two-year SIT hairdressing qualification, she intends to seek full-time employment in a local salon.
Lee said the Wellington result demonstrated that opportunities such as the Patrick Cameron Bridal Challenge can deliver something beyond technical achievement for young stylists. As she said when the students were first selected as finalists:
"For many young people, confidence is one of the biggest challenges. Opportunities like this can be life changing. It means far more than simply being named a finalist."