8 Tuesday <strong>December</strong> <strong>17</strong> <strong>2019</strong> Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz News PEGASUS POST Cutting a path to a new direction in life • By Bea Gooding GROWING UP, Zarian Taungahihifo never experienced being in the spotlight. The 19-year-old encountered issues many young people of today commonly face – a lack of direction after high school or the discovery of one’s identity and place in the world. Rubbing shoulders with the “wrong crowd” pulled Mr Taungahihifo down a dangerous path of drugs and delinquency at a young age, but after a sitdown with his father, he decided enough was enough. “One day I sat down with my dad and evaluated where I was at, and nothing positive was happening. So we started looking for other options,” he said. He undertook work experience at The Barber Lounge for a few months before being offered an apprenticeship through the Ministry of Social Development’s Mana and Mahi programme, designed to help young people acquire valuable qualifications and skills. It was not long before he tasted success, competing at the New Zealand Association of Registered Hairdressers competition at Ara Institute of Canterbury, which showcased talent from hairdressers and barbers nationwide last August. Said Mr Taungahihifo: “Growing up my whole life the spotlight has never been on me, and to hear my name being called out for first place was pretty overwhelming.” He took out the top prize in two categories – Men’s En Trend TRANSFORMATION: Barber Zarian Taungahihifo has gone from mixing with the wrong crowd to claiming a top award at the New Zealand Association of Registered Hairdressers competition. PHOTOS: GEOFF SLOAN Classic Barbering: The Fade and the Ray Astwood Barbering Award, both in the new talent category. He said his proudest achievement would not have been possible without the mentorship and support of his “family” at The Barber Lounge in Papanui who welcomed him like a brother. “I love life a lot better now. I’m in a better headspace, in a better environment and around positive people who have goals,” he said. “Back then I was hanging out with people who would only put me in the wrong positions and didn’t really care about me.” It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child, and The Barber Lounge senior barber Lucas Kelly felt this to be true. Mr Kelly and the team were the driving force behind Mr Taungahihifo’s success, instilling in him the Polynesian way of humility, respect and hospitality. Said Mr Taungahihifo: “Once I started working at the lounge, I learned how to respect myself, the peers around me and to just be myself.” Mr Kelly saw himself in the 19-year-old when he went through similar issues in his own life, fuelling his desire to mentor the teenager. “That’s what I identified in Zarian when I met him, that he was just a new generation of what I was, growing up with similar backgrounds,” he said, “Something that stuck out was if I had someone like me when I was in my own situation, I would’ve wished somebody would help me too.” Born and bred in Mairehau, Mr Taungahihifo was in a “tough place” during school when he was bullied for his size, and dealing with the separation of his parents as a child. “I was a bit of a bully too as I got older because I was lacking self-confidence, so it made me feel better about myself,” he said. As much as it was a learning curve, he believed that in the future he would become a mentor for someone else, passing on the knowledge and experiences that were shown to him. Said Mr Taungahihifo: “With what’s happened to me, I want to change someone else’s life too, someone who was in my position and be like how Lucas is to me.” Amongst the pumping music, buzzing conversations and warmth of brotherhood within the walls of The Barber Lounge, Mr Taungahihifo was proud of his journey and perseverance. He advised young people stuck in a difficult situation to surround themselves with positive people and to take a chance on something new. “Don’t be scared, I was, but once you step through that door of being scared, the sooner you step outside your comfort zone,” he said. From public speaking, finishing his qualification, entering next year’s NZARH competition and attending industry awards – 2020 will prove to be a big year for Mr Taungahihifo. “In a short space of time, a lot has changed and it’s only going to go up from here.” Christmas is creative at Avonhead Shopping Centre! Get creative these holidays and make your very own gnome! 19 TH TO 23 RD DECEMBER 30 MINUTE SESSIONS. AGE 5+ 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM Bookings essential at www.themakecompany.co.nz for Christmas AvonheadShoppingCentre www.avonhead.co.nz Cnr Withells Rd and Merrin St Avonhead
PEGASUS POST Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Tuesday <strong>December</strong> <strong>17</strong> <strong>2019</strong> 9 Summer holiday ATTRACTION GUIDE <strong>2019</strong>-2020 TAIERI GORGE Weave through farm and forest vistas, sandstone tunnels & lush wilderness as we ascend to this wondrous place. Daily departures, 4.5 hour return train journey. www.dunedinrailways.co.nz dunedinrailways Visit www.shantytown.co.nz to purchase discounted online entry tickets Rutherglen Road, Paroa (10km south of Greymouth) Open 7 days 8:30am - 5:00pm Phone 03 762 6634
Change language