Is Hairdressing Still a Good Career in 2025 NZ?
The hairdressing industry in New Zealand has been through it over the last few years. Between COVID closures, a mass shift toward rent-a-chair setups, and a growing skills gap, a lot has changed quickly. It’s left both stylists and salon owners wondering where the industry is heading, and whether it’s still worth pursuing a career in hair at all.
Here at My Hair Career, we talk to stylists and salon owners every day. We also recently sat down with Jess Corbett from Skills Premier, a Private Training Establishment working to reshape the way hair professionals in Aotearoa train and qualify. That convo revealed a lot about the current landscape, as well as the exciting opportunities ahead for those seeking hairdressing jobs or looking to upgrade their skills through structured hairdressing training courses.
So, is hairdressing or barbering still a good career path in New Zealand? The short answer: yes. But let’s unpack why.
1. The Traditional Hair Career Path Is Shifting
Once upon a time, the only way to become a qualified stylist was through a traditional apprenticeship. These days, fewer salons are offering them. Why? In many cases, salon owners just don’t have the time, money, or energy to support the full process, and that’s left a massive hole in the industry.
As Jess mentioned in our interview, more and more salons are moving to flexible business models like contracting and rent-a-chair. While that works well for experienced stylists, it’s made things trickier for new talent trying to find a pathway into their first hairdressing job.
2. Qualifications Still Matter (Even If They’re Not Mandatory)
Right now, you don’t legally need a qualification to cut hair or even open a salon in New Zealand. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth getting one. In fact, Skills Premier was born out of the realisation that many stylists were missing out on opportunities simply because they lacked certification.
A qualification can open doors: cruise ship gigs, overseas roles, salon ownership, or even training others. As Jess said, “Eventually, it might become mandatory in the industry, which would be a good thing.”
We agree. Qualification means confidence, not just for the stylist but for their employer and their clients. And if you're thinking, “Apprenticeship isn’t for me,” there are now alternative hairdressing training courses that can take you where you want to go.
3. New Training Options Are Making the Industry More Accessible
One of the biggest game changers is Skills Premier’s student loan-eligible, self-paced model. It allows stylists to access digital modules any time, train while working in a salon, and get consistent, structured support.
Jess explained that using a global system like Pivot Point ensures all trainees are speaking the same language, learning the same techniques, and progressing in a clear, trackable way. For stylists, this means better structure. As an employer, not only does it mean less guesswork when hiring, but the best part is, the cost of training doesn't fall on you. Hopefully this will see a shift towards more juniors and trainees entering the industry, which is good for everyone!
These types of hairdressing training courses aren’t just faster; they’re more accessible, especially for people who have been in the industry for years but never finished their qualification. That kind of flexibility is what the industry has been crying out for.
4. Stylists Still Love the Craft, They Just Want Better Conditions
In our own industry survey, we asked stylists what mattered most when looking for a new role. The top answers were:
Flexibility,
Culture,
Pay,
Growth.
Stylists still love the work, they just want to feel supported in doing it. And that’s completely fair.
Whether it’s through better training, better job matching, or better communication, the goal should always be to keep good people in the industry. That’s the energy we’re bringing into 2025.
So, Is Hairdressing Still a Good Career in NZ?
Yes, 100%. Absolutely! If you’re passionate, hungry to learn, and keen to grow, there are more opportunities now than ever before. You just might need a new way to get there.
The industry is evolving, and that’s not a bad thing. With new ways to train, new ways to work, and new people driving the change, this is still one of the most rewarding, creative careers out there.
Ready to take your next step? Explore your options, chat with our team, or find out more about Skills Premier’s approach to hairdressing training courses. Your career should feel like it’s going somewhere, and we’re here to help you get there.