Ali Barbers Wanaka Three Parks is one of three Ali Barbers locations, offering classic cuts, trendy trims and beard grooming sessions from experienced barbers. The Three Parks location operates by booking rather than walk-in, at 91 Sir Tim Wallis Drive, Wanaka.
The business traces its roots back to 1973, when Alistair Howison (known as "Ali Baba") moved from Dunedin to Wanaka and started barbering part-time from home while driving trucks and gold mining in the Cardrona Valley. AliBaba's eventually settled into a single-chair barber shop, and in 2003 Peter Wells - a hairdresser who'd arrived in Wanaka for a ski season - talked his way into a job there. Ali sold the business to Pete in May 2004, and it has since grown from two full-time chairs to four, employing 15 people over 13 years. In late 2017, the business was renamed Ali Barbers to more clearly reflect what it offers, while honouring Ali's contribution to its history.
Ali Barbers Wanaka Three Parks is part of a barbershop business with a story stretching back to 1973, when Alistair Howison - known to locals as "Ali Baba" - moved from Dunedin to Wanaka. While driving trucks part-time for Upper Clutha Transport and gold mining in the Cardrona Valley, Ali started cutting hair from home, and even took his scissors down to the local pub on Tuesdays to give gents a trim while they had a drink.
AliBaba's eventually became a single-chair barbershop on Brownston Street, where it stayed until 2003, when Peter Wells walked through the door. Pete had come to Wanaka for a ski season after an apple-picking stint in Nelson, and after two days of being turned down for work around town, he tried his luck at the barbershop. Ali, partially deaf, initially thought Pete wanted a haircut - but once he realised Pete was after a job and had six years of hairdressing experience in Tauranga, he took him on. Not long after, Ali went to Rarotonga for two weeks and left Pete in charge of the shop. When Ali returned, having broken a couple of ribs in a scooter accident, he asked Pete if he wanted to buy the business - and Pete said yes.
The shop moved from Brownston Street to its current site on Ardmore Street on 11 August 2003, with Ali writing the date on the wall and hanging a mirror over it. Pete officially bought the business from Ali on 5 May 2004, and it has since grown from two full-time chairs to four, employing 15 people over 13 years. In late 2017, the business was renamed from AliBaba's to Ali Barbers, honouring Ali's contribution while making it clearer what the shop offers.
At Ali Barbers, experienced barbers offer classic cuts, trendy trims, beard grooming sessions, and kids cuts, aiming to have every customer leave feeling confident and refreshed. Pete has continued to develop his skills through involvement in barbering industry training, and credits the variety of customer conversations for keeping him passionate about the work after all these years.
Ali Barbers Wanaka Three Parks is located at 91 Sir Tim Wallis Drive, open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm, closed Sundays. Unlike the walk-in-only Wanaka CBD shop, the Three Parks location operates on bookings, which can be made online.