Meet the team
Creative Director & Founder Of UNA
Kelly Manu
It was at age 11 that Kelly first started colouring her own hair and saving her pocket money so she could buy box colour from the supermarket.
From: Wellington
Speciality: Lived-in hair and beautiful blondes
Coffee order: Iced Americano
Favorite movie: Trainspotting
How do you like to chill: Hanging out with my two cats and having a margarita in the sun!
Favorite place to travel: Palm Springs, anywhere in the desert
What career would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? I would probably still be in makeup!
It was at age 11 that Kelly first started colouring her own hair and saving her pocket money so she could buy box colour from the supermarket. Initially though, after leaving school, she went on to study graphic design, and then fashion make-up and special effects. Working in editorial and film she realised quickly that she needed to be able to do hair as well as makeup to get the jobs she wanted so she completed a hair apprenticeship - and never looked back.
By 2019 she was leading her own classes for L'Oréal Professionnel, and has been their New Zealand French Balayage expert since 2020 - a role which has seen her teach across the country. It's no surprise then that a hybrid of balayage and classic foiling is her favourite technique in which she creates beautifully blended lived-in blondes. Kelly has won a plethora of awards which most recently includes being named the L'Oréal Colour Trophy winner in 2022.
Although she's an introvert she says she feels blessed to create such beautiful connections with clients. "I get to experience with them all of the big life experiences; first boyfriends, marriages, babies. Making my clients happy is the best part of my day and what always motivates me to improve my skills to give them the best hair and experience possible." Having worked on multiple New York Fashion Weeks Kelly had envisaged living overseas - and was even offered her dream job in Manhattan. But she pivoted post covid and found a new project to dedicate her time to - that project became UNA.
Senior Stylist & Salon Manager
Claudia Reader
Searching for a profession that was creative, and remembering that feeling of leaving the salon satisfied solidified Claudia’s career decision.
From: Auckland/Tauranga
Speciality: Red heads and Coppers, anything vibrant!
Coffee order: Flat white
Favorite movie: It’s not a movie but I love watching The Office!
How do you like to chill: Taking my dog Tilly for a walk and going out for lunch or dinner with friends or family.
Favourite place to travel: Currently it would be Nice in France but I still have a lot more travelling to do!
What career would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? Anything creative, I love all jobs that are very hands on, but I feel that I have stepped into the best one of them all as a hairstylist!
Searching for a career that was creative, and remembering that feeling of leaving the salon satisfied made becoming a hairdresser an easy decision for Claudia. She's worked in salons from Tauranga to Auckland and particularly likes doing creative colours such as reds and coppers alongside creating beautiful blondes.
Her career highlights (so far) include moving to Auckland to work alongside the team at UNA, flying to Sydney to help with the L'Orèal Colour Trophy Gala, and assisting Kelly on a shoot for Fashion Quarterly magazine. In June this year she was also invited to become part of the L'Orèal Creator Team, working to promote new products and techniques that are transforming hairdressing all over the world.
Of working at UNA Claudia says it's important that every client's hair should reflect who they are as an individual. "Through their everyday life I want my clients to feel they can achieve what l do in the salon and be able to do it every week at home, therefore it's not so much the transformations that are important. I want their hair to be practical, lived in but also feel really beautiful and confident," she says. She loves to spend a bit of extra time with her clients teaching them tips and tricks on how to maintain their style at home!
Senior Stylist
Zoe Zheng
Zoe’s journey into hairstyling was initially sparked by her parents' suggestion but also fueled by her love for fashion and connection with diverse individuals.
From: China (Shantou)
Speciality: Textured cutting and all lightening services
Coffee order: Decaf oat latte
Favorite movie: About Time
How do you like to chill: Read, meditate and exercise
Favorite place to travel: China (lots of places to explore)
What career would you be doing if you weren't doing this? I would probably have a business of my own!
Zoe’s journey into hairstyling was initially sparked by her parents' suggestion but also fueled by her love for fashion and connection with diverse individuals. She excels in creating textured hairstyles such as shags, mullets, and short haircuts. Her passion extends to lightening services, specializing in balayage techniques and panel lightening to bring out the unique characteristics of her clients.
Working with open-minded clients eager to explore different hairstyles, Zoe's experience covers various hair textures, including wavy, curly, and fine hair. What she enjoys most about being a hairstylist is the joy and satisfaction her clients express after each service. Her motivation to continually improve stems from the desire to meet and exceed clients' expectations.
Ensuring the health and integrity of her clients' hair is a priority for Zoe and thorough consultations always guide her services. She’s always committed to great results not just in the salon but also when you leave, including home haircare recommendations and maintenance advice so you always have a good hair day.
Senior Stylist
Kane Maddocks
Inspired by music, fashion, and individuality, Kane loves creating hair that feels effortless, personal, and confidence-boosting - all while making clients feel like they’re catching up with a friend.
From: Palmerston North
Speciality: Bright healthy blondes!
Coffee order: Long black
Favourite movie: Valley of the Dolls
How do you like to chill: Going for a run, reading a good book or taking my dog Maggie on an adventure!
Favourite place to travel: Paris, France (or Paris, Texas!)
What career would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? Either makeup or a tattoo artist if I could draw anything other than a stick figure!
Kane first entered the hair industry working part-time in a salon on late nights and Saturdays before beginning his apprenticeship. What started as a casual introduction quickly turned into a passion, driven by the fast-moving nature of the industry, constant learning, and the connections built with clients from all walks of life.
For Kane, hair is deeply personal - a form of self-expression and identity. Building genuine relationships and trust with clients is at the core of what he loves most about hairdressing, and creating a welcoming, judgement-free experience is something he values deeply. He wants every client to leave his chair feeling listened to, confident, and like they’ve just spent time with a friend.
Inspired by music, magazines, pop culture, and the individuality of his clients and their lifestyles, Kane is drawn to hair that feels modern, effortless, and personal. From refreshing faded coppers and creating lived-in blondes to a fresh blowdry ready for the weekend, he loves helping people feel like the best version of themselves.
Known for his calm and approachable energy, Kane takes a personalised, long-term approach to hair, focusing on honest advice and sharing tips that help clients maintain healthy, wearable hair beyond the salon visit.
Outside of the salon, Kane is passionate about music, collecting records, and going to as many gigs as possible. A self-confessed “big Swiftie”, he brings a fun, relaxed energy to the UNA team and is excited to continue growing through session work, shoots, and creative education opportunities.
Junior Stylist
Blaire Wishart
Blaire fell in love with hair through years of experimenting on herself and friends before turning it into a career. She’s especially drawn to soft lived-in blondes and seamless balayage, creating hair that feels effortless, confidence-boosting, and true to each client.
From: Auckland
Speciality: Blondes & Balayage
Coffee order: Hot chocolate
Favourite movie: The Hangover
How do you like to chill: With friends
Favourite place to travel: I would love to go to Europe!
What career would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? Nutritionist
Blaire discovered her love for hair through years of experimenting on herself and friends while still at school. Drawn to the creativity of the industry and the ability to create something new every day, she quickly fell in love with helping people feel more confident in themselves.
For Blaire, the connection built with clients is one of the most rewarding parts of hairdressing. She loves getting to know people, hearing their stories, and creating a welcoming, comfortable experience where clients feel relaxed from the moment they sit in her chair.
Inspired by social media, trends, and naturally effortless beauty, Blaire is especially drawn to lived-in balayage looks, from soft caramels to bright blondes. She loves creating “unnatural natural” hair -colour that enhances what clients already have naturally while growing out beautifully and seamlessly.
Known for her calm, friendly energy, Blaire believes great hair has the power to completely shift how someone feels about themselves. Her goal is always to help clients leave the salon feeling confident, refreshed, and like the best version of themselves.
Outside of the salon, Blaire loves music, spending time with friends, and has recently discovered a passion for decorating cakes. As part of the UNA team, she loves the close-knit, supportive environment where everyone works together to create the best outcomes for clients.
