Christchurch Hairdresser Takes Second Place

For immediate release, Tuesday 2 March 2004

CHRISTCHURCH HAIRDRESSER TAKES SECOND PLACE

Christchurch hairdresser Mike Hamel has taken second place at the 2004 New Zealand Master Hairdresser of the Year awards.

The results of the competition were announced at a gala function in Sydney last night. It was won by Bronwyn Illingworth of Auckland.

Despite not taking out the title Mike Hamel, who already has a hat trick of New Zealand Master Hairdresser awards, was delighted to be in the running as it is a rare honour to be nominated for the award more than once.

"I was ultra-proud to be nominated for the award and especially pleased to represent not only Christchurch, but the South Island. It's important for the South Island to have someone at the top of the industry to ensure New Zealand hairdressing isn't just powered from Auckland and Wellington," says Mike Hamel.

The award, chosen by an international panel of judges, is given to the outstanding hairdresser in each of the various countries, Britain, Asian, Australia and New Zealand. It attracted 290 entries from the world's top hairdressers.

Hamel's success in the award began in 2000 when he was the first New Zealander to win the Australian Hairdressers Journal Master Hairdresser award. He won the prestigious award in the following two years and was a finalist last year. To earn master hairdressing status, Hamel, who runs Ginger Megg's hair salon in Merivale with his wife Glynis, has had to demonstrate leadership in the industry. His hairdressing excellence was judged on a portfolio of hairstyles, but the award also took into account his teamwork, industry development, peer recognition and community involvement.

Tennis is the latest sport of many community organisations to benefit from the 43-year old's generosity and he is driving a South Island initiative to identify and nurture young talent, aimed at taking New Zealand back to a world force in the sport. Hamel whose two children, 11 and 8, are involved in the Canterbury junior development programme, feels strongly that New Zealand has not produced a player in the world's top 20 for many years.

His other sporting passions are cricket (he played senior and age-representative cricket in Christchurch), snowboarding and surfing. He has also represented New Zealand in table tennis.

ENDS

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