The best of
Wellington. Ranked.

1. #1

   Editor's Pick
   

   JAM Hair Co.

   Nearly two centuries of combined experience on the floor at this CBD favourite. No attitude, no upsell pressure — just technically sharp cuts and colour in a relaxed, convivial room locals keep coming back to.

   Wellington CBD

   colour specialistsCBDwalk-insprecision cuts
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
2. #2
   

   Buoy Salon & Spa

   Thirty-five-plus years mastering hair has made Buoy one of the most awarded salons in the country. Full spa-salon experience if you want to turn a cut into an afternoon, not just an appointment.

   Wellington Central

   award-winningspa servicesestablishedfull colour
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
3. #3
   

   David's Hairstylists

   Started by David himself back in 1971, this Wadestown institution is now a genuine neighbourhood icon. Old-school loyalty, easy street parking, and a team that's clearly been doing this a very long time.

   Wadestown

   50+ yearsWadestown localfamily-runclassic cuts
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
4. #4
   

   The French Barber

   A Barbercraft NZ Master Section Shave winner running the tightest hot-towel shave and skin-fade game in the CBD. Book the shave if you've never had a proper one — it's the whole reason to come.

   Wellington CBD

   hot towel shaveaward-winningfadesCBD
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
5. #5
   

   Cuba St Social

   Master Barber Wayne Newman runs this Leftbank spot like Wellington's living room — sofas, coffee table, zero rush. Fades and cuts that hold, in the most laid-back waiting area on Cuba Street.

   Te Aro, Cuba Street

   master barberfadesCuba Streetrelaxed vibe
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
6. #6
   

   Stravinskij Barbershop

   B-Corp certified and recycling every clipping toward coastal oil-spill cleanup — a barbershop that treats sustainability as seriously as the fade. Skin treatments and scalp work push it past a standard cut-and-go.

   Wellington Central, Featherston Street

   sustainableskin treatmentsFeatherston StB-Corp
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
7. #7
   

   Cuba Barbers

   The Courtenay Barbers offshoot that kept the good chat and the sharp fades but moved into Cuba Street's chaos. Come for the haircut, stay because the shop itself is a proper piece of Cuba Street character.

   Te Aro, Cuba Street

   Cuba Streetfadesoffshoot of Courtenaywalk-ins
   Maps Reviews
8. #8
   

   Courtenay Barbers

   Tucked into buzzy Courtenay Place, this is the pre-night-out trim of choice for half of Te Aro. Consistent fades, no-fuss booking, open right through the weekend when most barbers have shut up shop.

   Te Aro, Courtenay Place

   Courtenay Placeweekend hoursfadesreliable
   Maps Reviews
9. #9
   

   Black Pearl & Co

   A New York loft-style salon above Johnston and Featherston that doubles as an industry training centre — which shows in the finish. Approachable stylists in a genuinely striking space, not just another CBD chair.

   Wellington Central

   loft-style saloncolourtraining centreCBD
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
10. #10
    

    Miss Fox Hairdressing

    Cuba Street's go-to for vivid colour and blonding done properly — not a quick box-dye job. If you want a fantasy colour that actually holds its tone, this is the boutique to book, well ahead of time.

    Te Aro, Cuba Street

    vivid colourblonde specialistCuba Streetboutique
    Maps ReviewsWebsite
11. #11
    

    Forever Young Hairdressing

    The Eastern suburbs' reliable local, pulling clients from Miramar, Hataitai, Lyall Bay and Newtown alike. No CBD parking hassle, no pretension — just a solid cut from a team that knows its regulars by name.

    Kilbirnie

    Eastern suburbsKilbirniefamily-friendlyfree parking
    Maps ReviewsWebsite
12. #12
    

    Headstart Hair Design

    Over 40 years making hair magic in the Eastern suburbs speaks for itself. An experienced, creative team that's outlasted plenty of flashier CBD salons by simply getting the cut right every time.

    Kilbirnie

    40+ yearsEastern suburbsexperienced teamKilbirnie
    Maps ReviewsWebsite
13. #13
    

    Taboo Hair Salon

    Owner Tina Fox trained at an advanced US haircolour event — a rare credential for a Karori suburban salon. Twenty-five years in and still competitively priced for the quality of colour work on offer.

    Karori

    Karori localcolour expertise25+ yearssuburban
    Maps ReviewsWebsite
14. #14
    

    Headlines Karori

    From perms to balayage, this Karori stalwart keeps its stylists upskilling rather than resting on the suburb's loyal foot traffic. A genuine local option if you're west of the CBD and done with city parking.

    Karori

    Karoribalayagepermslocal salon
    Maps ReviewsWebsite
15. #15
    

    Fresh Barbershop

    Danny and the team on Taranaki Street keep it simple: a friendly chair, a fair price, and a cut that comes out exactly as asked. No frills, no upsell — just a proper neighbourhood barbershop done right.

    Wellington CBD, Taranaki Street

    Taranaki Streetaffordablefriendlyno-frills
    Maps Reviews

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