HITO Awards 2026

All current HITO hairdressing, barbering, and beauty therapy apprentices, trainers and assessors can enter their regional category.

The regions are:

Northern: Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne

Central: Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough

Southern: Tasman, West Coast, Canterbury, Otago, Southland

Each regional award winner will receive a 2026 winner trophy and certificate.

Each regional Apprentice of the Year winner will also receive $2,500 towards professional development.

Each Trainer of the Year and Assessor of the Year will also receive a HITO Prize pack.

To enter the competition, you must create a video or written entry and answer the following

1. Share you passion for your craft. Explain who or what inspires you

2. Skills and growth. Showcase a training skill you have learnt and found difficult and explain how you overcame this challenge. Demonstrate the skill alongside a model, colleague or customer

3. Professionalism and customer care. Showcase features of your day-to-day in the workplace. How do you ensure every customer has an amazing experience.
   
4. Engagement with HITO and your apprenticeship experience. What has your HITO apprenticeship meant to you?

5. X-factor – what makes you the best? Explain what motivates you to excel and what makes you stand out as an apprentice?

6. Future goals and industry impact. Tell us what your future goals are? How do you plan to make a difference in the industry?

• Please submit a high-resolution, horizontal (landscape) photo of yourself with your entry.
• Video entries must not be any longer than 4 minutes. Written entries must not exceed 1500 words.
• One written workplace reference is required. Please ensure references are from your employer, senior stylists, clients and/or someone who knows you well.

To enter the competition, you must create a video or written entry and answer the following

1. Strong work ethic and commitment to training. Showcase your excellence in training through your day-to-day practices as a trainer.
   
2. Share your training style. Demonstrate your excellence in teaching by showcasing your approach to training. This could include hands-on coaching, knowledge sharing, or feedback sessions.

3. X-factor – What makes you the best? Explain what makes you an exceptional trainer.

4. Contribution to the industry. Explain how you support learner success and what drives you to mentor and develop apprentices.

• Please submit a high resolution, horizontal (landscape) photo of yourself with your entry.
• Video entries must not be any longer than 4 minutes. Written entries must not exceed 1500 words.
• One written workplace reference is required. Answering the question “Why should your Trainer win the HITO Trainer of the Year award?”

To enter the competition, you must create a video or written entry and answer the following

1. Excellence in assessment practice. Tell us who you are and explain your role in shaping the future of the industry.

2.  Professionalism and industry engagement. Show passion for the industry and demonstrate what your core values are

3. Learner growth. Tell us how you support learner success

4. Contribution to quality and improvement. Demonstrate your creativity, productivity and innovation in your assessment practices.

• Please submit a high-resolution, horizontal (landscape) photo of yourself with your entry.
• Video entries must not be any longer than 4 minutes. Written entries must not exceed 1500 words.

As a video or written entry.

Your video entry can be created on any platform and does not have to be publicly shared, but must be sent through to HITO in high resolution.

Your video should be engaging and highlight your skills, expertise, and passion for the industry. You can use a mixture of visual and audio overlay, and choose the format that you believe will best capture your apprenticeship experience.

Finalists will be asked to sign a release form.

1. Download and complete the entry form.
2. Create your entry.
3. Send your entry, completed entry form, photo and written reference to:marketing@hito.org.nz

Video entry tips:

• Your video entry can be created on any platform and does not have to be publicly shared, but must be sent through to HITO in high resolution.
• Your video should be engaging and highlight your skills, expertise, and passion for the industry. You can use a mixture of visual and audio overlay, and choose the format that you believe will best capture your apprenticeship experience.
• Finalists will be asked to sign a release form.

File too large to email? If the video file is too large, we recommend using WeTransfer.com to create a link. Please submit your downloaded link to marketing@hito.org.nz, with your full name stated in the subject line.

Yes! It is free for Apprentice, trainers, and assessors to enter. There is no cost attached to entering the HITO Awards.

At all stages, judges score independently of other judges.

• HITO representatives carry out stage one of judging. HITO will verify your achievements upon receipt of entry.
• Stage two of judging is conducted by representatives from the hair, beauty, and barbering industry. During this stage, a shortlist of finalists is identified.

Finalists will be announced in September 2026. Due to the number of entries, only finalists will be notified of the status of their entry via email.

The finalists will be invited to the regional Awards & Graduation events being held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in November. Winners will be announced at the event.

• Auckland – 22 November 2026
• Wellington – 1 November 2026
• Christchurch – 8 November 2026

By entering you agree to abide by the competition rules.

• Entrants must be a current HITO apprentice, trainer, or assessor (for each relevant award category)
• Entrants for Apprentice of the Year must be a current HITO apprentice, employed for 20+ hours a week in a commercial salon, barbershop or clinic and be meeting progression requirements with a current HITO training plan. Their fees must be up to date.
• Entrants for Trainer of the Year must hold a recognised New Zealand qualification.
• Entrants for Assessor of the Year must have assessed within the last 12 months.
• The judges’ decisions are final, and judges will be unable to provide individual feedback.
• All information received and submitted is confidential.
• Entries and supporting documents are due by 14 August 2026. No entries will be accepted after this date.
• Finalists will be announced in September 2026. Due to the number of entries, only finalists will be notified of the status of their entry via email.
• Winners will be announced at the regional HITO Graduation and Awards ceremonies.

If you have any questions, please contact your Sales and Training Advisor or HITO Support at support@hito.org.nz or (04) 499 1180.