Q&A, Will Parata Te Waka Toa Award winner

Will is the inaugural winner of HITO’s Te Waka Toa Award. Driven by true passion and dedication. Will’s positivity, leadership, and love for our industry truly set him apart as our 2025 winner.

Can you tell us about yourself?

Tēnā koutou, ko Will Parata ahau. I grew up on the North Shore in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. I’ve been in the hairdressing industry for almost six years and have spent the past three at ASC Salon. My biggest achievements so far would be completing my apprenticeship and becoming 100% qualified, as well as being the first recipient of the Te Waka Toa award in November. These milestones represent a lot of hard work, growth, and support from the people around me.

What attracted you to this industry?
Growing up, I never imagined I would become a hairdresser. I initially just needed a job while I was still in high school, and the only job I managed to get was working casually in a salon at the age of 15. Within just a couple of weeks of being in that environment, I completely fell in love with the industry and discovered my passion for hair.

What’s your favourite skill you’ve learned? 
One of the most important skills you learn in this job is building genuine connections with your guests. This has always been my favourite part of hairdressing. Even though we may only see our guests for a few hours every six weeks or months, we can play a really meaningful role in their lives. Being able to help people feel confident and beautiful is such a privilege, and I’m incredibly grateful for that skill.

What advice would you give to someone starting a HITO apprenticeship?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There is so much support around you — from your employer, training advisors, and coworkers. For me, the coworkers who were completing their apprenticeship at the same time were especially helpful. We leaned on each other for support, questions, and encouragement. And don’t be hard on yourself for making mistakes — that’s how great hairdressers are made.

“The people around me drive me to do my best — my friends, whānau, and my salon team. Their constant support and belief in me motivate me to keep pushing myself and growing within the industry.”

What was a memorable moment in your apprenticeship?
Passing my finals was such an incredible feeling. Knowing that all the work from the last three years had been leading up to that moment, and to have passed, was super gratifying. I also got to sit my finals on the same day as some of the friends I met through off-job training in year one. Being able to go through that whole experience together was really special.

Tell us about how you support and guide other apprentices
I believe having a positive mindset when facing challenges during your apprenticeship can change everything. While it can definitely be stressful at times, approaching it with optimism and encouragement makes a huge difference. I try to support other apprentices by sharing that mindset and reminding them that challenges are part of the learning process. You never stop learning in this job — soak in as much as you can and never turn down an opportunity to grow.

Who has been your biggest inspiration throughout your apprenticeship journey?
It’s hard to name just one person, as I’ve been incredibly privileged to train under so many amazing industry legends. Both of my bosses, Stephen and Andrea Cockle, were pivotal in my apprenticeship journey. Seeing them navigate the many challenges that owning a salon brings has been super inspiring. I also completed a lot of training with Greg Murrell and Benjamin James at Ryder Salon, who were hugely influential in my development.

What are some things you would love to do in this industry in the future?
I would love to work in hairdressing overseas — I’m not sure exactly where yet, but I think it would be amazing to work in different countries with different people, hair types, and cultures, and continue growing my skills internationally. I would also love to get into more editorial work as well.

What does being awarded Te Waka Toa mean to you?
Being awarded Te Waka Toa felt like the closing chapter of my apprenticeship journey. It was incredibly rewarding to be recognised for the hard work I put into my apprenticeship, as well as acknowledging the many people who supported me along the way. To be honest, I was super surprised on the day — in the best way — and I think it assured me that I am in the right industry. It motivates me to continue growing and giving back in the future.