April 23, 2020
Tough cut for tourist town hairdresser
Click here for the full interview.
Devastating is how a Rotorua small business owner is describing the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on the tourism town.
Hairdresser Donald Hollingsworth says many customers at his Mai Salon work for tourism ventures like Mitai, Tamaki Maori Village or Te Puia, and their jobs have disappeared – and are unlikely to come back any time soon.
That will have a flow on to other businesses once the restrictions ease.
"Absolute devastation and disappointment but we've changed our way of thinking by thinking about life and not the economy and not losing any of our whānau and keeping each other safe," Mr Hollingsworth says.
Donald Hollingsworth from Mai Salon.
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com