It is not very often a bloke's haircut makes the news.
But then again, it is not very often a bloke follows through on a threat not to cut his hair until he turns 50.
James Adam (50), of Henley, did just that about five years ago - refusing all requests for a proper cut and making do with the occasional tidy-up trim.
Why?
''My wife nagged once too often to get a haircut,'' he explained with a grin yesterday.
''She hates long hair.''
However, Mr Adam's hairy rebellion turned to stubble yesterday, two weeks after his 50th birthday, when he joined four other volunteers having their heads shaved at the Black Swan cafe in Waihola.
The event, organised by Maxine Calver, of Waihola, raised more than $1000 for the nationwide leukaemia research fundraiser, Shave for a Cure.
Friends and family of Mr Adam had contributed another $430 in online donations for his efforts.
Mr Adam said he was happy to shed his curls for a good cause, but was quick to notice the difference as a cold chill - of a different kind - settled on the back of his bald head.
''Cold,'' was his one-word assessment of how the new look felt yesterday.
It should not last long, though, as Mr Adam said he was already planning to go one better - by growing his hair again until he turned 60.
His wife was likely to be ''all right for a week or two'', he predicted.
''Then it will be back to normal. She hates long hair.''
