A great hairdresser listens, gets your cut and colour right, and keeps your hair healthy. From precision cuts to balayage, foils and special-occasion styling, the right salon is one you return to.
TopChoice curates a Top 5 list of trusted, independently reviewed hairdressers in each city, focused on skilled results, range of services and a welcoming experience. Choose your location below to see our recommendations.
Hairdressers available in 24 locations. Jump straight to the recommended Top 5 hairdressers in your city.
The Top 5 hairdressers in each city cover the full range of work.
Precision cuts, restyles and blow-waves for all hair types.
All-over colour, balayage, foils and colour correction.
Keratin, olaplex and conditioning treatments for healthy hair.
Specialists in curly, textured and natural hair.
Up-styling and hair for weddings, balls and events.
Tape, weft and other extension methods for length and volume.
TopChoice recommendations are editorially curated by our New Zealand team. Rather than listing every business that pays to appear, we research each local market and shortlist only the hairdressers who consistently stand out. Every hair salon is assessed using a consistent framework that considers factors such as:
We read what customers say on Google and other public platforms.
We look for providers who deliver the same standard job after job.
We check the breadth of work a business genuinely takes on.
We weigh local track record and relevant qualifications.
We consider how clearly and professionally they deal with customers.
Our independent Top 5 rankings draw on public reputation signals from Google and other platforms, alongside our own editorial research. TopChoice also hosts native customer reviews on eligible Featured business profiles, but those reviews never determine or influence the Top 5. Every Top 5 list is reviewed periodically and can change over time as businesses grow, improve, or fall short, so the recommendations stay current and worth trusting.
Before you commit, it pays to ask a few key questions.
Pick a salon whose recent work matches the look you want.
Ask for a consultation and quote before a big colour change.
A good stylist protects your hair, not just the look.
Colour and popular stylists need more notice, especially pre-Christmas.
Raise any concerns promptly so they can put it right.
TopChoice takes a curated approach by limiting each city to just five recommended hairdressers. This avoids the clutter common in open directories and makes it far easier to compare your options without endless scrolling.
Choosing a hair salon can be a big decision, and it's hard to know who to trust. We do the legwork, so you can shortlist quickly and reach out with confidence. Every hair salon on our lists is independent, local, and chosen on merit. A TopChoice Spotlight placement may be available and is clearly labelled, but it never influences the editorial rankings.
A women's cut and finish often runs $60 to $120, a men's cut $35 to $60, and colour from around $120 depending on length and technique.
Yes, especially for a big change or colour correction. It lets the stylist assess your hair and give an accurate price and time.
Reputable salons will usually adjust a cut or tweak colour within a reasonable window. Raise it politely and promptly.
We editorially assess local hairdressers using a consistent framework, public customer reviews and feedback, evidence of workmanship, clarity of service and quoting, professional standards, and communication quality. Our editorial Top 5 rankings draw on public reputation signals from Google and other public sources, alongside our own research. TopChoice also hosts native customer reviews on eligible Featured business profiles, but those reviews never determine or influence the Top 5.
No. A TopChoice Spotlight placement may be available and is clearly labelled, but it never influences the editorial rankings within our Top 5 hairdressers lists.
Showcase your services to customers exploring local hairdressers. TopChoice Spotlight gives your business a prominent position on this page, supported by a dedicated profile and clear ways to contact you.
Explore Spotlight
