It had been two years between haircuts for Whanganui schoolboy Angus Pitkethley.
The one he got yesterday was a doozy.
The Wanganui Intermediate School 12-year-old took it upon himself to grow his locks as long as he could, and then to chop them off to raise money and awareness for CanTeen, an organisation that supports young people aged 13-24 who have cancer.
His school got in behind the youngster's efforts and allowed a mufti day yesterday, with more than $450 raised towards Angus' target of $1000, principal Charles Oliver said.
The locks came off in front of a cheering crowd of his peers, parents and assorted onlookers.
His teacher Jenna Hatch paid $20 to chop off the pony tail, which she did to raptuous applause.
Hair stylist Shayna Coneybeer from Jacks Hair Studio took care of the rest.
So why did he do it?
"I thought that because my family has had connections with cancer, it gave me a strong urge to do something to show how strongly I felt about it," Angus said. He did not want to elaborate.
Mr Oliver said it had taken Angus two years to grow his hair down passed his shoulders "and about four minutes to chop it off."
"He's a good lad and it's an admirable thing he has done," Mr Oliver said.
Dad Gene Pitkethley watched on as his son's locks disappeared. "I couldn't be prouder," he said.
Angus credits classmate Georgia Sutherland, who had her head shaved for a cure fund last year, as providing the push he needed to go ahead with his own time in the chair.
How did he feel afterwards?
"Cold. But at least now Mr Oliver won't keep asking me where my dress is."