Ryan Bridge: Man buns are a sign of strength, not weakness

This morning I can't stay silent on this issue that's been raised in the campaign.  

This comment, made by New Zealand First candidate and former Defence Minister Ron Mark, is outrageous and wrong.  

Ron, Ron, Ron. There is nothing wrong with an expressing oneself via a man bun. Some call them twat tops. A douche donut. A head turd.  

They've been called a lot of things, but a sign of weakness? No. 

Have you never seen a Japanese Samurai? Or a Norse Viking?  

Both are elite warriors. Samurai fight with swords and use them to literally chop off their enemy's head. 

These guys are tough. Pete Hegseth tough.  

They're ruthless. They're clinical. But also a bit stylish.  

What about Jason Mamoa? They don't call him a Hollywood heavyweight for nothing, do they?  

He's just bought a house in Queenstown worth $15m.  

Do you know what he paid with? Warrior cash.  

Do you know what he looked like doing it? Amazing.  

As anyone who's grown a bun or a top-knot knows all-too well, it takes balls of steel to stick it out through the awkward growth phase.  

Months of uncertainty. Of making a plan and sticking to it. You must wake up each morning to that clown mop, look it straight in the follicles and say... "damn it, I am who I am and I'm not changing".  

That's what I call courageous. These warriors should be celebrated, not sidelined.