A courageous, determined, talented woman who smashed her goals, gave back to community and always cared for those around her is how Liz Ward will be remembered.
The 59-year-old Katikati resident died on December 22, 2025, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour at the end of 2023.
Liz was internationally recognised for her 40-year career in hairdressing, winning New Zealand’s highest industry accolade. She was a regional equestrian competitor and, in 2022, revived Katikati Netball Club.
Country kid
Elizabeth Rosemary Davies was born June 28, 1966, at Tauranga Hospital to Louellen (nee O’Reilly) and John Davies. “She was brought up on my parents’ – the late Rose and Lou O’Reilly – Lund Rd farm. She had a calf, a lamb, a pony – she was a country kid.”
Liz attended Katikati Primary School and Katikati College. She ran at the athletics club, went to Sunday School and fell in love with netball. “She was a very active child; she was always busy and always gave 110%,” said Louellen.
Screenshot Liz Ward, nee Davies, pictured as youngster. Photo / Supplied
“Even when she was little she was so determined. She’d make up her mind about something and do it – or she’d find a way to achieve it.”
Horses
Liz’s first true passion was horses. She was her family’s fourth generation to ride competitively. She competed from a young age and with her hack won the DC dressage for the Bay of Plenty.
When Liz’s daughter Kate Downes rode a pony from the age of 4, the duo were off each weekend competing in the lead rein together.
Kate said her best memories were of her mum taking her to pony club. “I’d even get off the bus after school and mum would be waiting with my horse to ride home.”
Katikati's Kate Downes, 4 with mum Liz Ward who led her in the Lead Rein Junior Side Saddle demonstration events, a first for New Zealand, at the Katikati A&P Society 90th Annual Show held on Sunday, February 5 at the Uretara Domain. CREDIT: CAROL DARLING PHOTOGRAPHY KTA 16Feb12 - kk080212sp5508 IN MINIATURE: Katikati's Kate Downes, 4, riding Charmarama, with mum Liz Ward, prepare for the demonstration. CREDIT: CAROL DARLING PHOTOGRAPHY Daughter Kate Downes, 4, riding Charmarama, with mum Liz Ward, prepare for the demonstration in 2012. Photo: Carol Darling Photography
Louellen said Liz rode well but as life went on she had less time for it. But she never stopped owning, training and loving horses.
Her business, Bay Equestrian, next to her Carisbrooke St salon, ran from February 2017 to July 2024, stocking equestrian gear including show supplies and attire. In recent months she’d taught horse “Rev” to bring his feed bin to her, from a wheelchair.
Hairdressing
Louellen wasn’t sure how hairdressing appealed to Liz, but said her daughter began her apprenticeship at age 15. By age 21 she owned her own salon – Hairkraft in Katikati.
Molly Gent – who worked with Liz for 14 years – met Liz when she set up a Tauranga branch. “She sold Katikati, then Tauranga Hairkraft and I moved with her when she opened Liz Ward Hairdressing salon on Carisbrooke St in 2008.”
Screenshot Liz Ward, on left, was well-respected and widely-known in NZ’s hairdressing industry. Photo / File
Molly said Liz trained many apprentices “and shaped the lives of so many people”. “I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today without having her guidance and support in my life.”
Liz was “the best” to impart knowledge, Molly said. “She just made everyone feel so confident.”
“She saw that something in people that perhaps others didn’t see,” said Louellen.
Liz competed in hairdressing competitions nationwide. Her resume is impressive. In 1994, she was BOP branch president of New Zealand Association of Registered Hairdressers (NZARH). In 1996, she became a NZ industry assessor.
She did a 2000 Wella NZ Long Hair Tour with world-renowned hairdresser David Shields. In 2001, she was a guest artist backstage at World of Wearable Arts (WOW) in Nelson. In 2002, she was nominated NZ Expo Hairdresser of the Year. In 2003, she was appointed to Davines NZ artistic team. In 2004, she trained in Italy with 40 fellow stage artists from around the world.
In 2005, she was a stage artist for Davines. In 2008, she worked backstage at NZ Fashion Week. In 2009, she was international cutting competition judge at Hair Expo Australia. In 2010, she won NZ’s highest hairdressing honour – NZ Supreme Hairdresser of the Year.
Liz Ward, Supreme National hairdressing champion in action at the Bay of Plenty Hair Design Fashion Awards in Tauranga. KTA 03Aug11 - kk290711sp04 TOP SKILLS: Liz Ward, supreme national hairdressing champion in action at the Bay of Plenty Hair Design Fashion Awards in Tauranga. Liz Ward, supreme national hairdressing champion in action at the Bay of Plenty Hair Design Fashion Awards in Tauranga in 2011. Photo / File
In 2012, she won the NZ Oceanic Masters, Overall Champion Styling, Cutting and Overall Colour Award. In 2013, she was NZ Editorial Stylist of the Year (BOP).
Molly said Liz had “so much skill, foresight and creative talent”.
“When you’re doing that sort of work, you’re pre-empting fashion. You’re creating styles that are out of the norm.”
As such, Liz was hugely respected in NZ’s hair industry. “She was a competition judge, a steward and she did shows all over – everybody knew who she was,” Molly said.
As a person she was cheeky, funny, kind and giving. “She’d give you absolutely anything even if she didn’t have it – she’d find a way to get it for you.”
Family
Louellen said Liz loved her family. “Her idea of bliss was being at home in the garden. She was always cooking meals for her sons and their friends.”
Liz met her partner of 22 years, Scott Downes, at indoor basketball. Scott had two boys, Lochie and Jackson; Liz had two boys, Taylor and Logan, and together they had Kate.
“She was a mum to so many more than just her kids,” said Kate. “She made sure everyone was fed, safe and happy. She treated everyone as her own.”
GOLDEN GIRL: Liz Ward who has added to her mounting stash of trophies. Liz Ward, pictured in 2012, adding to her mounting stash of hairdressing trophies. Photo / File
A big Katikati Rugby Club supporter, Liz encouraged one kid to play by paying him for each try he scored. She joked it became a big expense. Another wasn’t allowed to attend rugby on Saturdays. “She made the rugby bus stop and went inside his house and talked to his parents. He played every weekend after that,” said Kate.
“People respected mum because she was consistent; she turned up for everyone all the time. She didn’t take any crap. She was firm but fair.”
Netball
Wildly competitive, Liz loved netball and played in school and community teams. Kate began playing at age 7. “She’s coached me my whole life.”
“One of mum’s ideas she kept discussing with friend Hayley Murray was reviving the town’s netball club,” said Kate.
It happened in 2022. The duo got the club associated with the rugby club, grants, a netball cabin, a van, and created a committee. “The first year, in 2023, there were four women’s teams.”
Hayley said Liz was a solid support to her. “As you can imagine, starting a new club is a bit of a logistical nightmare. Liz helped with organising trials, coaches and made sure it was all possible.”
Kate said Liz gave people confidence just by being herself: “Mum has given us all the skills in life to achieve anything we want.”
Liz’s funeral was held January 6 in Katikati.