Katikati can proudly claim it is home to one of the best hairdressers in New Zealand after mother of three Liz Ward won a coveted supreme title.
The winning cut, modelled by her apprentice Lynzi Robinson, required two sessions of hair dying and more than three hours of cutting in Christchurch
last weekend.
"It proves that you don't have to be in Ponsonby do good haircuts," Mrs Ward said.
The 44-year-old, who had lived in Katikati most her life, took up hairdressing when she was a 15-year-old.
"I started off riding horses until my mum told me to get a real job," said Mrs Ward.
In 1991 she opened her first hairdressing salon, Haircraft, in Tauranga and now owns Liz Ward Hairdressing in Katikati.
This was the fifth time she had entered the national competition, which featured more than 400 top hairdressers.
"It's the best of the best. Everyone on the competition floor were people I admired."
In previous years she had picked up a second and third placing. Her first place this year earned her $2000 in travel, a $1000 pair of scissors, and $500 cash.
Inspiration for the winning haircut came from a variety of sources including younger staff members, internet blogs and fashion magazines, Mrs Ward said.
Mrs Ward said she would definitely be competing again next year.
As an industry assessor in her spare time, she sees a lot of up and coming hairdressers in the Bay.
"I think the Bay has huge potential. We have a bunch of young staff coming through ourselves," she said.
