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 was awarded NZQA Category 1: Highly Confident in Educational Performance and Highly Confident in Self-Assessment in 2021, the highest rating available under NZQA’s former External Evaluation and Review (EER) system.
The EER system is no longer in operation; however, this rating reflects NZQA’s high level of confidence in our educational performance and our ability to self-assess and continuously improve.

Our programmes are aligned with industry standards set by the Services Industry Skills Board, ensuring they meet current expectations for the hair, beauty, and barbering sectors in New Zealand.

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.

Academy Tours
and Open Days

Are you interested in getting a tour of the VARDA academy before enrolling for one of our courses?

Or come to one of our open days where you can tour the academy, met the tutors and students and get hands on experience and in a multitude of courses, ranging from hairdressing, barbering and makeup.

Please click on the buttons below to find out more.

I enjoy Varda because everyday I get to learn new things and enjoy the company I share with my pairs. I also enjoy going to Varda because of my tutors, that are patient, kind and cool to be around.

Charne Mackie

Varda creates a safe space for future generational hairdressers and allows us to be our complete selves while we’re learning new skills and techniques which helps us improve and be better and do better within ourselves and our hairdressing careers. Not only do they offer hairdressing, but Barbering, make-up and Salon Support are on offer too with a wide variety of tutors who have different skill sets, techniques and ways of learning so it allows everyone to to be seen and heard.

Shaann

Varda is a great nurturing environment for young barbers/hairdressers and makeup artists alike. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the practical and theory learning opportunities varda provides. The hands on practical days in the salon really help cement the theory I’ve learned in class and have helped me gain the confidence I need to provide services to clients. I couldn’t recommend varda enough for those who want an interactive learning experience, with knowledgeable tutors and friendly students!!

Charlie E

My most favourite thing about this place was going in with little experience and within the first 2 weeks already have had gained quite a-bit of knowledge that I thought would takes ages to learn but only took a few weeks.

Henare Ngaruhe

A great place to
study and pick up skills to prepare for the work place.

Darian Bennett

Varda has been so fun and so much help to becoming a professional hair dresser!! Highly recommend for anyone looking at enrolling

Chloe Nicholson

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’

Hair and barber NZ

My IR

Pivot Point