Mr Danny Pato, MNZM, of Auckland, for services to the hairdressing industry
Danny Pato was New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year every year from 2016 to 2023 and has twice been named International Hairdresser of the Year. He co-founded a Ponsonby salon that now employs 16 staff. He has delivered educational presentations in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Philippines and Australia and contributed to national and global publications. He sponsors the AUT University Rookie graduate fashion shows. He created The Directory, a free database of New Zealand’s creative industries. He was an Advisory Board member of Hair Expo Australia and Servilles Hairdressing Academy. He has raised money for charities through several initiatives. Mr Pato offers free wig styling for cancer patients.