Te Warena brings decades of international experience in hairdressing, makeup artistry, and special effects to her teaching at Whitireia and WelTec. Currently, she leads the Wellington Trades Academy Salon Environment programme at the Petone campus. We talked to Te Warena about her journey, her advice for aspiring creatives, and what ākonga (students) can expect when they step into her class.
What can ākonga expect to learn and experience in your class?
The Salon Environment programme is designed to give ākonga a taste of the beauty, hairdressing, makeup and special effects industries. Alongside technical skills, they also gain an introduction to retail, customer service, and the dynamics of working in a professional salon.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
My students come from diverse cultural backgrounds and have different learning needs. I love creating a safe, inclusive environment where everyone feels supported and can thrive. Watching them grow in both skill and confidence is incredibly rewarding.
Tell us more about your journey into hairdressing and makeup?
I started at just 14 years practising on the marae after leaving school. I was always fascinated by how hair and makeup could completely transform a person—not just how they look, but how they feel. That creative freedom inspired me to study formally and opened doors to opportunities all around the world.
What are some of your career highlights?
I've had the privilege of experiencing many standout moments throughout my career. One of the most significant was leading the hair department at the globally renowned, Oscar-winning Wētā Workshop, where I worked on iconic films like Avatar, King Kong, The Hobbit trilogy, and Mulan. In addition to film, I designed wigs for the prestigious World of Wearable Art and had the honor of attending their opening of the 1st exhibition in Seattle, USA.
I also had the opportunity to head hair teams at New Zealand Fashion Week, and I've traveled the world demonstrating prosthetic makeup and hair techniques. A particularly meaningful highlight for me was styling the hair of the Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuīni Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō. It was a profound honor that I will always cherish.
Throughout my career, I’ve collaborated with incredible global talent, using hair and makeup as a medium to bring their stories to life in ways that leave a lasting impact.
What inspired you to start teaching?
After 30 years in the industry, I wanted to give back. Sharing my knowledge and helping ākonga discover their passion, confidence, and creativity felt like a natural next step. Seeing learners grow and succeed is one of the most fulfilling parts of my career.
What advice would you give to aspiring hairdressers or makeup artists?
Be open-minded, enthusiastic and ready to learn. Have patience and persistence, skills take time to master, always be respectful and most importantly, be yourself. If you’re passionate about creativity and helping others express themselves then this specialised industry is for you.
What’s one myth about the industry you’d love to bust?
Many people think hairdressing and makeup artistry are just about making someone "look good," but it’s so much more than that. This is a highly skilled profession that blends technical expertise with creativity, and they demand an understanding of both theoretical and practical human interaction, something AI could never replace.
Check out some example's of Te Warena's latest work
NZ Hair Awards finalist and Educator of the Year Finalist 2025.
