David Seymour gets a trim after announcing a review of hairdressing regulations. "Best hair in the coalition," he says. Photo: RNZ / Felix Walton
Most hairdressers don't know some salon rules that could repealed even existed in the first place, a Wellington hairdresser says.
ACT leader David Seymour is spearheading a review of the hairdressing industry to address what he views as "unnecessary" regulations.
They included rules prohibiting dogs, other than guide-dogs, from being inside a barber shop, and a ban on staff serving their clients refreshments.
The owner of Matt Forsman Hair in Wellington, Matt Forsman, told Morning Report most of the industry is unaware of the regulations.
"To be honest, no one in my industry that I know knew that we weren't allowed to serve drinks to clients," he said.
"And for the most part during the recent boom in people buying dogs, a lot of people have actually enjoyed bringing their dogs into the salon as well, so we're all a bit surprised that this wasn't allowed."
Lifting those restrictions would not change much in practice, said Forsman.
The only thing that would save hairdressers money or make their processes more efficient, is making it easier to set up new premises, he said.
"It kind of feels like they're dealing with a problem that isn't there.
"It ... seems like a 'don't ask, don't tell' situation where, unless you're setting up a new salon, and unless you're being reviewed by the health board, we just sort of go on our business."
The review would look at whether current rules are suited to a billion-dollar industry made up of mostly small businesses, while ensuring public health is protected, said Seymour.
"Health and safety is really important, but not every rule and regulation is actually helping," he said.
"It will be a short and sharp review... The review is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2025."
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