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Jimmy is in Chops chair for a skin fade. He recalls a difficult childhood after losing his mother in a car accident and how his father was dealing with the loss of their mother. He opens up to Chop about the injustices he and his brother have suffered at the hands of their father.
Processing Jimmy’s story is challenging for Chop, especially when he breaks down talking about his mum passing on the morning of his 9th birthday. Jimmy recalls the hopes his mother had for him and his brother, and how he is honouring her wishes now.
He talks about looking after his grandfather, and how his mother would have done the same if she were still alive. Jimmy just wants to find a place where he and his brother can call home.
Jimmy on the barbershop bench waiting his turn in the barbers chair Photo: Tai Huri Films / Adam Jones
A Tribute to My Mum
Tragedy struck Jimmy's whānau on the morning of his 9th birthday. He lost his mother, who succumbed to her injuries after a car accident on the road from Matauri Bay where she was the principal of the local primary school. That changed Jimmy’s life forever.
Yeah it was pretty rough bro. Sort of tried to say solid for my little brother you know, he was only two he didn’t even know what was going on.
With the absence of mum, Jimmy’s world felt empty. He went from living with his dad to his aunty where he and his brother could finally be kids again. School was tricky for Jimmy, without his mum around. He struggled with mental health and the trials and tribulations of being a teen in small-town Te Tai Tokerau.
Jimmy midway through his skin fade Photo: Adam Jones
High school was hard enough, going through high school without mum, that was hard. Trying to deal with my own personal shit while doing all of that.
After a bumpy few years at high school, Jimmy left the North and moved to Auckland to pursue architecture and design. It was during this time that he stumbled upon barbering. After seeing an ad on Facebook he enrolled in a short course at Servilles Academy. While discovering his passion for barbering, he went on to study for a full year and graduated at the top of his class.
When Jimmy moved back to the North, he had one thing in mind. To work alongside Chop in the Chop Shop.
Chop is moved by Jimmy's story Photo: Tai Huri Films / Adam Jones
Eventually, Jimmy got his wish and is now one of Chop's top young barbers. While the two of them work closely together every day, Chop still knows that he is more than a boss to Jimmy. Chop is a tuakana - an older brother - and they have developed a great respect for each other.
Now, Jimmy just wants to find a place for him and his brother to call home. A place where they can be happy and do what they want together
Photo: supplied
