We sat down with Rodney Wayne, an icon of New Zealand hairdressing, to hear his perspective on the evolution of the industry and the experiences that have shaped his remarkable career.

With decades of influence behind him, Rodney shares his insights on creativity, education, and the future of hairdressing in New Zealand.

Looking back across your career, what stands out as a defining moment that shaped not only your journey, but the direction of hairdressing in New Zealand?

I began my hairdressing career in Australia and Vidal Sassoon became famous, which was a defining time for me.  That experience shaped my approach and ultimately influenced the direction I took in New Zealand – focusing on modern beautiful, and fashion forward hairstyling.

The industry has evolved dramatically over the years, what are the most significant changes you have witnessed, both creatively and commercially?

In my early years, the permanent wave was extremely fashionable and popular.  Over time, it has shifted toward a more natural look, with a strong focus on beautiful colouring and refined shape.

Rodney Wayne has become synonymous with New Zealand hairdressing. What do you believe has been the key to its enduring success and relevance?

The key to our success has been our ongoing investment in training.  This includes not only developing strong hairdressing skills but also embedding the systems and standards that are part of the Rodney Wayne system.  

Every era has its breakthroughs—what would you say has been one of the most impactful shifts in hairdressing (a technique, tool, or movement) that changed the way we work behind the chair? 

Traditional tools like the hood hairdryer are rarely used today.   The introduction and evolution of tools such as blow dryers, irons and brush types that have completely transformed the way we create and style beautiful hair.

How has the role of the hairdresser transformed over time—from technician to creative, educator, and brand in their own right?

Techniques are constantly evolving, which makes continuous training at all levels essential. Today’s hairdresser is not only a technician, but also a creative and an educator.

What are your thoughts on the current state of hairdressing education and training in New Zealand?

Where do you see opportunities for growth or change? 

One of the biggest challenges we face today is the training of apprentices.

Many salons are no longer taking on apprentices and without developing the next generation – the future of the industry becomes uncertain. There is real opportunity with nurturing new talent.

Mentorship has always been central to this industry. What has it meant to you personally, and how have you approached nurturing the next generation?

Mentorship has always been incredibly important to me.  When I was overseeing multiple salons, I personally made a point of working in each one, regularly leading by example, training, and encouraging the team.

And that is certainly the approach I believe is key to nurture the next generation.

Looking ahead, what do you believe the future of hairdressing in New Zealand will look like—both in terms of creativity and the way businesses operate?

As mentioned, the future of the industry relies on continuing to train young people both in the foundational skills and creatively. This is essential to ensure businesses can continue to grow and succeed.

After such an influential career, what continues to inspire you, and what legacy do you hope to leave within the industry?

What continues to inspire me is that we are part of an industry that helps people look and feel wonderful. The legacy I hope to leave is that I played a role in training and supporting many hairdressers in New Zealand.