Napier National candidate Wayne Walford says he had his characteristic ponytail removed this week after it became "a barrier to communication".
Mr Walford, who had sported the ponytail for 10 years, said it was his own decision to have his hair cut.
"At the end of the day my ponytail was becoming a barrier to communication."
A number of people had expressed concern about Mr Walford's long locks, so he removed them as a show of commitment to his campaign.
"For those people who were concerned about it [the ponytail], I needed to show some commitment.