Hastings barber Peleti Oli collects national award at Beehive

COMMUNITY WINNER: Somehz Touch Barbershop owner Peleti Oli won a national honour in Wellington at 'Got a Trade Got it Made' Training Awards last Tuesday. Photo/ Warren Buckland.</

What started as a hobby in the school changing rooms has now taken a local barber to parliament to receive a national award.

Peleti Oli was nominated for the Pasifika Community Leadership Award at the 'Got a Trade Got it Made' Training Awards in Wellington and on Tuesday was announced as the winner.

"I couldn't believe it, I didn't even know I had been nominated until a month ago when my wife told me I had a voicemail, thank goodness I checked it otherwise I wouldn't have got there."

Mr Oli was flown to Wellington and attended a Future Leaders Forum where about 100 tradies like himself had a day of "motivational" speakers and business learning.

Paralympian Liam Malone was one of those speakers who Mr Oli said was incredibly inspiring.

"I never thought one day I would be rubbing shoulders with him but he was a real eye opener and shared an amazing story."

After the forum the group went into Parliament's Banquet Hall to enjoy a dinner and night of celebration.

"For me, getting to parliament alone was a huge milestone, and it is pretty crazy how barbering has taken me to the Beehive."

Mr Oli started barbering back in the Hastings Boys' High School changing rooms with his friend John Whiunui, who has since passed away, and became known as the school barber.

His passion almost came to a halt at the death of his younger brother Someh but he found a way to channel his passion into his brother's legacy and opened Somehz Touch Barbershop in Hastings.

On Tuesday the inspiring barber dedicated his win to his former mentor Ray Astwood, who had also since passed away, after he helped him achieve his national barbering certificate.

Earlier this year Mr Oli defended his title at New Zealand's only dedicated barbering event, BarberCraft, and has since decided to establish his own barbering competition.

The 'Hair on the Floor' event is happening next weekend in Palmerston North and Mr Oli hopes to inspire more barbers to get into the business.

"I was the only one from the Bay at BarberCraft and if the competition goes well in Palmerston we hope to open one up here in the coming months."

Mr Oli was acknowledged for his work in the community and he hopes to continue doing what he can to help keep youth out of trouble.

He said by getting them into barbering they were off the streets and "earning while they're learning".

Mr Oli's heart doesn't stop at youth and he has been known to roam the streets cutting the hair of the homeless.

"I just want to help the community and keep doing that for as long as I can."

Today Mr Oli is off to support the Hawke's Bay Samoan Rugby Association's event where they are giving food and free showers to the homeless at the Cook Island Community Hall in Flaxmere.

He will be providing people with free haircuts.

"I want to keep representing Flaxmere and I will continue this journey for my brother. I always resort back to him as that is where it all started and he helps to keep me going."