Winning stylist takes on world at Vegas

Daniel Matene, 22, is set to compete against the world's best hair stylists in Las Vegas. Photo / John Stone

A Whangarei hair stylist succeeding on the world stage is determined to stick around and enrich his hometown.

Daniel Matene was feeling pretty confident when he travelled to Sydney in July to attend the International Goldwell Zoom Colour competition awards.

Up against four other New Zealand finalists drawn from hundreds of entries, Mr Matene's confidence was not unfounded. He took the country's top prize for his "traditional rebel" look and is now off to represent Aotearoa at the global finals in Las Vegas.

"The enormity of the situation hasn't really sunk in," Mr Matene said ahead of his October trip.

Mr Matene, of Ngapuhi and Ngatiwai descent, will be going up against "75 of the world's best" and will have three hours to recreate the look that has got him this far. His seven years in the industry have been spent at Whangarei's Villa Hairdressing, training under Teresa McInerney.

"I stopped school at 16. My youth advisor asked me what I wanted to do - I either wanted to be like David Attenborough or a psychologist. We thought hairdressing was a good compromise," the 22-year-old said.

Despite success on the world stage and his own jokes about his big head, Mr Matene said he is keen to stay in his Whangarei hometown, "definitely for a bit longer".

The outpouring of support on social media following his win was almost more special than the award itself. "It made me more giddy and humbled than winning."

Mr Matene is organising a night at Bank St Social Club on September 26, showcasing Villa Hairdressing talent.