Your
Future
Is Hair.

Study with Varda.

Study at VARDA in Hamilton and boost your career with NZQA qualifications in, hairdressing, barbering and make-up.

Hair washing

VARDA Salon

Our training salon is open to the public. The purpose of the salon is to provide students with 'real client' experiences. Appointments are essential.

Trainee hairdressers

VARDA Training

Varda is amongst an elite group of New Zealand Training Providers holding the Best Practice Quality Mark from the New Zealand Hair and Beauty ITO.

Barber cutting hair

VARDA Barber

Our barber shop is open to the public to provide students with ‘real client’ experiences and we also have a full time qualified barber on-site Monday to Friday.

Lady looking at a shelf of hair supplies

Why Train
With Us?

VARDA is amongst an elite group of New Zealand Training Providers holding the Best Practice Quality Mark from the New Zealand Hair and Beauty ITO. This status guarantees quality assessment practices.

NZQA assesses the standard of education for Tertiary Education Organisations through a regular system of external evaluation and review (EER). Through periodic EER, Tertiary Education Organisations are held accountable to their students, employers, funders, quality assurance bodies and other interested parties.

NZQA rates VARDA as Category 1: Highly Confident in Educational Performance and Highly Confident in Self-Assessment.

VARDA is rated Excellent in all areas from NZQA’s External Evaluation and Review.

VARDA offers the highest level of training with trainees gaining nationally recognised and approved qualifications by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. These qualifications are highly regarded by the industry.

Study for Free!

Fees Free is targeted at first-time learners. You may be able to get one year's study or two years' training fees-free. Check if you are eligible by entering your National Student Number (NSN) at www.feesfree.govt.nz.

Interested in a tour?

Are you interested of getting a tour of the VARDA academy before enrolling for one of our courses? We even have the option of having a taster session of a multitude of courses, ranging from hairdressing, barbering and makeup. Please click on the buttons below to find out more.

Book a Taster Session

I’d like to say a Thank you to Deb and the whole crew at Varda. The experience I had here was amazing and I wouldn’t change it for anything. The amazing support from staff and teachers was cherished dearly by myself and I can speak on the behalf of the other students when saying this too.

Thank you to my wonderful tutor for all the one on one learning and teaching you sent my way. Without it I wouldn’t be the great barber I am today. From helping me with cutting techniques to finding me work experience you were always there for me and always put me and the other students first.”

Troy Bernhard
‘Barbering’

Coming to Varda was the best choice I made when I left High School. I’ve learnt professionalism in the Barber trade and I’ve taken it and used it as a life skill. Varda has taught me all the basics of barber skills and the tutors were supportive.

Maia Haumu

Before coming to Varda I was a stay at home mum, so this year was definitely a change for me.

When covid came around it all changed again. We did it and without the support from every single person at Varda I don't know how we would of survived the year. From other students supporting each other and cheering us all on and helping with models, to the tutors and all staff who were there helping us all achieve our goals and supporting us through our tough days too.

Also a big thank you to our tutor for your support, loyalty and guidance.

Megan Brinkworth
‘Salon Support’

To Varda, the staff and of course our amazing tutor, thank you for your endless support and overall patience throughout this course especially through the times where we couldn't see the end.

This year has been amazing working along side all of you. The amount of support and banter with each other has been incredible. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to have shared this adventure with.

Helena McKenzie
‘Emerging Stylist’

Just perfect! Tutors encouraged me and showed me a lot of new skills and found what I was good at. Varda also relaxed me before completing any assessments that were hard to achieve, helpful tutors and classmates. I started dreaming a new future here at Varda, and Varda also helped me to set my goal for next year too. Thanks, it was the best school I ever went. Miss you all.

Phoebe Choi
‘Salon Support’

“I loved studying at Varda, I loved all the tutors. They were friendly and they believe in me”.

Brittany Richardson
‘Makeup and Skin Care’

“My experience studying at Varda was absolutely amazing. It always felt like a safe learning environment and always had such a dedicated team of tutors and staff to help us with questions or problems. Walking into class always felt homely and welcoming. Our tutor was always willing to help any student and always had a boost of motivation and support to push you to succeed your goals.”

Chloe Curnow
‘Salon support’

I loved the atmosphere, everyone is always happy and all staff are so polite. I also believe that Varda has a great support system for both students and clients.

Jade Coe
‘Makeup’

Varda has helped me so much with my people skills and has made me so much more confident in myself and the things I can do. I’ve learnt a lot being here and have loved every moment of it.

Jamie Paki
‘Salon Support’

Hito