Brad Warren (Ngāpuhi) owns Boxed Out Barbershop in Napier. In Brad’s Q&A, he talks about how his own struggles with mental health inspired him to create a safe and inclusive space, where getting a cool haircut comes hand in hand with having genuine conversations.
Kia ora Brad! Tell us about you. What journey has led you into the hauora space?
I’m 34 years old, a father to my 2-year-old son and a fiancé. I am Māori (Ngāpuhi) and European, and grew up in Hawke’s Bay, attending Hastings Boys’ High School. School wasn’t for me, and University was never my path, but I always knew I wanted to do something meaningful that helped people. I now own Boxed Out Barbershop in Napier, where barbering has become a way to support others. From the age of 18, I struggled with my mental health and a lot like others I turned to other forms to numb it — which cost me a lot. Today, I’m 4 years clean and sober. My lived experience allows me to offer a genuine, safe space where conversations happen naturally and people feel heard. I had an amazing upbringing, which taught me that mental health doesn’t discriminate; it can affect anyone.
Many people wouldn’t initially consider a Barbershop to be a space for hauora. What inspired you to create a Barbershop that goes beyond normal barber services?
Naturally, I saw the power of a barbershop within the first few weeks of working in one. As men, we’re very aware of who we let into our personal space, and your barber is one of the few people you trust to be in that space.
Once that trust is built, conversations happen naturally. People start talking about things they wouldn’t normally share with a stranger. That’s what inspired me to create a barbershop that goes beyond just haircuts—a space where people feel comfortable, connected, and leave feeling better than when they walked in.
Relationships are obviously at the core of what you do, how important do you think it is for young men in our region to have people they trust and look up to in the community, that they can confide in?
I think it’s hugely important. Sometimes we’re not only making a positive impact on tāne, but also on wāhine and single Mum’s who bring their young boys into the shop. Creating a safe, welcoming experience for them is just as important.
I’ve seen young boys become inspired through the barbershop, and I’ve even had clients go on to enroll in barber school after getting their hair cut with us. I’m also teaching my 13-year-old nephew not just how to cut hair, but how to respect the sacred space that a barbershop can be. It’s about building confidence, connection, and giving the next generation positive role models.
What is your favourite thing about your mahi? What keeps you going?
My favourite part is seeing the excitement on a young kid’s face after they get their first “cool haircut,” or even just their very first haircut. Seeing that confidence and happiness is something I’ll never get tired of.
What keeps me going is the connection. The relationships I build with my clients are what make this industry so special, and they’ll always be the reason I keep coming back every day.
To be honest, those moments are the reason I do what I do. When a client feels comfortable enough to open up, it’s a privilege. I don’t see myself as a counsellor, I’m a barber but I can offer a safe, judgement free space where someone can just be themselves. Sometimes people don’t need advice, they just need someone to listen.
If they leave feeling a little lighter, or knowing someone genuinely cared, then that’s more valuable to me than any haircut. That’s the kind of environment I want Boxed Out to be for every tāne who walks through the door.
What does Hauora mean to you?
To me, hauora is about looking after the whole person, not just giving them a haircut. It’s about creating a space where people feel welcome, respected, and comfortable enough to be themselves. If someone leaves our shop feeling more confident, lighter, or simply knowing someone cared enough to listen, then we’ve done more than just our job.
