He admitted his stance cost him some customers, but he was holding firm.<\/p>\n
He said that, during the restrictions, he could not see the difference between walking around a supermarket wearing a mask and having your hair cut.<\/p>\n
Along with several other businesses around the country, he decided to stay open for those customers who felt comfortable about visiting.<\/p>\n
WorkSafe told the Rotorua Daily Post in 2022 that Haines was fined on three separate occasions in January, February and March that year. <\/p>\n
Each time, he was issued with two fines: $12,000 for failing to check customers had vaccine passes, and $4000 for failing to display a vaccine pass sign.<\/p>\n
Ants Haines from My Barber photographed in 2022 after he was fined $48,000 by WorkSafe. Photo \/ Kelly Makiha<\/p>\n
WorkSafe said it issued 61 infringement notices to 22 businesses and organisations during the Covid-19 restriction period. The Government\u2019s framework had requirements related to the vaccination of workers, use of the My Vaccine Pass, and signs detailing requirements.<\/p>\n
The infringement notices were for a combined sum of $374,000. <\/p>\n
These had now been handed over to the Ministry of Justice for collection. WorkSafe was no longer involved in pursuing payment.<\/p>\n
Two businesses have been sentenced and received court-issued fines relating to their cases.<\/p>\n
Haines\u2019 case has been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice, and he is awaiting the next step.<\/p>\n
He said bailiffs had visited him recently.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were really cool. It\u2019s not their fault, they\u2019re just doing their job.\u201d<\/p>\n
He had tried fighting the fines and had spent $5000 on a McKenzie Friend (a court supporter) to help him understand the legalities.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll he said to me was, if I liquidated my business, the fines would be wiped.\u201d<\/p>\n
Haines said that wasn\u2019t an option.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I ain\u2019t paying it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He raised $15,000 in 2023 in a Givealittle fundraiser and intended to keep up the legal fight.<\/p>\n
He said he loved people, had made many friends from his central city shop and had served generations of customers.<\/p>\n
He admitted business had been tough in recent years, but he still had a loyal following and was excited for the change. <\/p>\n
There were now at least a dozen other barbers in the central city area, and it was becoming more difficult to make a living, he said.<\/p>\n
The avid Warriors fan, who has jerseys and memorabilia around his store, said he had intended to work out the week and start in his new cabin at his home next week, but once he started taking stuff down, it didn\u2019t feel right to stay.<\/p>\n
He said it cost him about $20,000 a year in lease and other expenses to stay in the CBD, and it wasn\u2019t worth it anymore.<\/p>\n
He had also had enough of the homeless people around the streets, saying it wasn\u2019t uncommon to break up fights outside his shop between rival gang youngsters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not cool, bro. No one wants to bring their babies into the CBD.\u201d<\/p>\n
He hoped to get his fines dropped and to continue his business at a more profitable rate from his home.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone\u2019s moved on now from Covid, but the hardship of the world has not got any easier.\u201d<\/p>\n