Sister Lashes owner, Zandalee Matene made history at the 2025 NZ Lash Industry Awards, becoming the first Pacific recipient of the TAIEA award.
The awards were held earlier this month in Auckland, at a night dedicated to celebrating innovation, passion and artistry within the glamorous lash world.
According to Zandalee, Taiea in te reo Māori means “to shine, to be seen, to be celebrated”. The award recognises an individual who uplifts others and leads with integrity and pride – all values she embodies through her dedication to empowering and uplifting her community.
With Māori-Niuean roots, Zandalee was raised in Manurewa, South Auckland, and now resides in Flatbush.
“As a Polynesian woman, it’s not always easy to take up space in industries where there hasn’t been much representation for us,” she says.
“But this award reminded me that what I’m doing matters not only for me, but also for the up-and-coming Polynesian women starting a business.”
Her win highlights the importance of her visibility as she was one of a few Pacific representatives to be recognised at the NZ Lash Industry Awards. For Zandalee, being present was a mix of “pride and pressure”.
“I felt so proud to stand there and represent my people, to show that we deserve to be in those spaces too,” she says.
“But at the same time, it felt heavy because I knew how rare it was to see someone who looks like me standing in that room.”
“Being in that room made me even more determined to open doors, share knowledge, and create a pathway so that next time, it’s not just me standing there, it’s a whole wave of us.”
That sense of purpose has shaped Zandalee’s journey since the beginning. In 2019, faced with unemployment and the responsibility of helping to raise three children, Zandalee signed up to a lash course with no prior knowledge. Before long, she launched Sister Lashes, turning adversity into an opportunity to support her family financially and uplift Pacific beauty and excellence.
“It’s breaking barriers for Polynesian women. It’s inspiring the next brown girl to dream big and know she can build a business too,” Zandalee says.
Sister Lashes is more than just lashes, it’s a welcoming space for women to feel “seen, cared for, and confident.”
“That confidence shift is priceless,” Zandalee says.
“I think the biggest benefit is that my clients leave feeling empowered – whether that’s through a set of lashes, a conversation we’ve shared or just the fact that they took the time out for themselves.”
To support the Pacific community further, Zandalee runs certified lash courses and mentorship programmes with aspiring Pacific lash techs. She hopes her services instill confidence in others to take the lead and become business owners.
For Zandalee, this win is more than just an award, it’s a symbol of success and a sense of belonging.
“I hope my story creates a ripple effect, that by showing up, working hard and representing our people, we can empower the next generation of Pacific women to dream bigger, believe in themselves and knowing they belong in this industry.”
