Tauranga barber Shanon Ratahi opened Avenue Barbers & Tattoo to rangatahi this week, hosting an event that blends street art, barbering skills, and community connection.

Ratahi said the monthly initiative aims to foster a sense of community while helping young people develop skills for potential careers in the barbering industry.

“Hopefully, this event will keep youth safe during some very tough years,” he said.

The team at Avenue Barbers & Tattoo, Wayne Chase, Shanon Ratahi and Kingston Ryder. Photo / Tom Eley

The event featured a special guest DJ, graffiti art demonstrations, tattoo and barber tutorials, and pizza – all designed to create a space for youth expression and connection.

For the occasion, Ratahi painted the wall outside the barbershop black, creating a safe canvas for the rangatahi to express their creativity.

“It’s far better than spray painting in a public park,” he added.

Splitting his time between tutoring and barbering at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology and managing Avenue Barbers & Tattoo on Cameron Rd, Ratahi is committed to supporting local youth.

He hopes this event will be the first of many and aims to replicate the success of the Tauranga Boxing Academy through the Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust.

“It is the first one, so I don’t know if it’s going to go with a bang or be nothing, and build up.

“So it’s a risk, but I want to see it grow.”

While the event is funded personally by Ratahi, he has also received support from the Haeata Charitable Trust on Anzac St.

Haeata Charitable Trust Founders (left) Teisha Jackson and Anton Jackson, and (right) Avenues head barber Shanon Ratahi. Photo / Tom Eley

Ratahi supports the Haeata Charitable Trust by providing free haircuts at community events and serves as a positive role model for youth in Gate Pā, according to founder Teshia Jackson.

“We wanted to help him out, in any way we can, because it’s usually him giving back to us,” Jackson said.

Helping out at the youth event at Avenue Barbers & Tattoo also allowed Haeata Charitable Trust to connect with youth outside of Gate Pā, she said.

“It is also a chance for teenagers to get off social media and come out and talk to people.”

Jackson has spent 11 years in youth advocacy, and finding strong role models – especially for young men – is a challenge.

“Our young men are confident to say what they need, but we don’t have a lot of male role models to give them.”

Organisers said they hope to make it a regular event on the local calendar.