While most 14-year-olds are navigating the complexities of early high school, Naia Talakai is managing a professional schedule that would challenge many adults. His days are a carefully choreographed balance of academic obligations and entrepreneurial ambition, often bridged by the commute on a train to school where he spends his travel time completing homework.
By the time he reaches the Ōtara town centre in the evenings, the student transforms into Ōtara’s talented teen barber. Operating six days a week, Talakai has carved out a niche for himself in one of South Auckland’s most vibrant hubs, blending technical skill with a maturity that belies his age.
His business, Fadez by Naia, operates out of a modified shipping container known as the House of Hustlers. It is a streamlined, high-energy space where Talakai charges $20 for a cut, attracting a diverse range of clients from the local community and visitors to the area.
Saturdays represent the peak of his weekly operations. The foot traffic from the famous Ōtara markets brings a steady stream of new faces to his door. “A lot of people just walk by and when they see the cheap prices and they gotta stop by and give it a go,” Talakai said.
A Legacy Forged in Family
Talakai’s proficiency with the clippers did not begin at the House of Hustlers. For several years, he honed his craft in the quiet of Sunday mornings, cutting his grandfather’s hair before they headed to church. It was a ritual of connection and care that left a lasting impression on the young barber.
“It was always fun to cut his hair he always left with a smile on his face,” Talakai recalled. Following the passing of his grandfather, the act of barbering transitioned from a family ritual to a professional pursuit. Finding a sense of purpose in the tools left behind, he noted, “I remembered his pair of clippers sitting in my room.”
This emotional connection to the craft has evolved into a rigorous professional standard. Talakai does not simply follow instructions; he provides consultations based on the physical characteristics of his clients. “sometimes my clients think I’m nosy,” he said, “but I just I notify them what suits their head shape and head type hairstyle.” Despite his authoritative approach to style, he remains focused on the core tenet of service: “But at the same time, always gotta satisfy the customer.”
The Ecosystem of Entrepreneurship
The House of Hustlers is more than just a barbershop; it is a strategic component of a wider effort to foster youth entrepreneurship in Ōtara. The initiative is operated by the Community Builders NZ Trust, an organization dedicated to creating community-led responses to local needs.
Talakai’s entry into the program was organic. As a member of the trust’s youth collective, he was volunteering for the Ōtara Christmas lights when he approached Terangi Parima, the trust’s chief executive, about the possibility of barbering. His acceptance was not guaranteed; he had to pass a trial that involved cutting his brother’s hair before being officially signed off.
Parima views the project as a way to provide tangible opportunities for the next generation. “We’ve given him the space to grow and the platforms to expose his mahi,” Parima said.
The barbering program exists alongside several other trust-led initiatives designed to address systemic issues within the community. These include:
- Pātaka Kai: A 24/7 food rescue and sharing initiative designed to combat local food insecurity.
- Community Garden: A space for sustainable food production.
- Mobile Bike Hub: Providing transport maintenance, and accessibility.
- Street Safety Scheme: Improving local security and pedestrian safety.
- Carving School: A newly established program to preserve traditional arts.
Regarding the food initiative, Parima explained, “We’ve got kaupapa like the Pātaka Kai… It’s open 24 hours a day, 24-7. That initiative is really about food rescue and sharing. And that stems off the food insecurity Issues that we’ve had here in our community. So a community response to a community need.”
The Art of the Conversation
For Talakai, the technical side of the fade is only half the job. He recognizes that the barber’s chair is a social crossroads, and the ability to engage with a wide array of personalities is essential to the business.
“I always like the chatty people. So it’s not just awkward silence while I cut,” he said. When conversations lull, he has found a reliable catalyst for engagement: the rising cost of living. “It’s always the oldies talking about that one,” Talakai said with a laugh, referring to the common complaints regarding the price of petrol.
This mentorship extends to the operational side of the business. Talakai describes Parima as being like a sister to him, though one who maintains rigorous expectations regarding professionalism and hygiene. “The standard for this space is excellent,” Talakai said, acknowledging the high bar set for the maintenance of the shop.
As he continues to balance his studies with his professional growth, Talakai is focused on the long term. He is currently working to expand his regular client base, viewing the House of Hustlers as a stepping stone toward a larger ambition: opening his own independent barber shop.
The success of Fadez by Naia serves as a proof-of-concept for the Community Builders NZ Trust, demonstrating how targeted vocational support can empower youth to turn personal passion into viable economic activity.
Talakai will continue his current rotation of evening and weekend shifts as he works toward his goal of business ownership.
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