Ohakune 10-year-old to judge Mighty Mullet contest at Waimarino A&P Show

Cooper Burnett, 10, will be a judge at the first Mighty Mullet Competition at the Waimarino A&P show on February 21-22. Photo / Fin Ocheduszko Brown

For 10-year-old Cooper Burnett, having a mullet is more than just a hairstyle; it represents who he is.

Cooper, who is from Ohakune, has rocked a mullet for most of his life, except when he had a moment in 2020 and asked to cut it off.

Cooper’s mum Becks Potroz said it was a shock when Cooper, aged about 5, requested a haircut.

“He came up to his father and I and said, ‘cut my long bit’ and we both got a bit upset, we were like, ‘is this it?’,” Potroz said.

“His dad cut it, then Cooper was like, ‘no one is going to recognise me any more’ and he freaked out and cried.

“He has grown it ever since.”

Cooper pronounces mullet as “moo-lay” to avoid sounding “bogan”, he said.

He loves having a mullet because it has become a part of his identity ... Cooper isn’t himself without it.

He also likes the fact that other people like it and can tell who he is without having to see his face.

“He’s kind of known in Ohakune for his mullet. People say, ‘I saw Cooper on his bike and his mullet was flapping’,” Potroz said.

When asked about the best mullet he has ever seen, Cooper chose his own hair.

Potroz said she was “absolutely” supportive of her son’s hair and credited Tidy Styles hairdresser Sharon Hanekom for maintaining the flow.

Cooper takes immense care with his mullet, washing it twice a week, using conditioner, brushing it every day and applying product when needed.

Cooper said the only annoying thing about his mullet was when it flowed forward when he leaned over.

Potroz said some people could not handle their mullet’s length.

“Some people can’t last the distance. They get to a certain length and it gets too annoying so they chop it off,” she said.

Cooper has been chosen to judge the first-ever Mighty Mullet Competition at the Lilburn Transport Waimarino A&P Show.

Cooper has had a "moo-lay" for most of his life.

The event, hosted by the Waimarino Agricultural and Pastoral Association, will be held in Raetihi on February 21-22.

He was used as the poster boy for the competition’s announcement on Facebook, which he thought was pretty cool.

Association treasurer and event organiser Alex Pearce said Cooper would be joined by one other judge, with categories for junior, teen and open.

No registration is required, “just rock up with your mullet”, Pearce said.

“There’s a lot of young shepherds out there that definitely apply with their mullets,” Pearce said.

“I think it’s a club, it’s an unspoken club, the mullet club.”

Cooper said the mightiest mullet would be judged on texture, care, presentation and whether any additional effort has been made, such as a skin fade, hair tattoo or mohawk.

The age-old phrase, “business in the front, party in the back”, would also contribute to a good score.

Cooper thinks light-brown-haired mullets look the best.

Cooper, who would like to become a mechanic, has accepted he may have to chop his locks for high school.

If and when the time comes, Cooper wants to donate his hair to a cancer charity, but he did not rule out that the hair may be grey and old by the time it comes around.

Waimarino A&P Show

The Waimarino A&P Show began in 1910.

There will be a range of events, food stalls and live entertainment on show across the weekend.

Pearce said up to 4000 people attended last year’s show.

The association was hoping to better that number this year.

“We’re pretty excited, we have got a few new committee members who have brought more enthusiasm and ideas with them,” she said.

“I think it’s going to be a really epic show and, with the way the weather is going at the moment, we are hopefully in for a good weekend.

After a $5 entry fee, all family rides are free. There will be events including little dog racing, hobby-horse racing, wood-chopping competition and young farmers competition.

In addition to the Mighty Mullet Competition, the Waimarino Bark Up will debut.

This event is for huntaways and non-working dogs to show off their loudest and most impressive barks.

“We are always trying to bring new events to the show that might intrigue a different group of people – there’s a bit of something for everyone,” Pearce said.

Gates to the Waimarino Showgrounds open at 10am.

Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.