Green’s Dictionary of Slang

ropehead n.

[such hair resembles ropes]

(N.Z.) a Rastafarian, a (white) person wearing dreadlocks.

[NZ]D. Looser Boobslang [U. Canterbury D.Phil. thesis] 155/2: ropehead n. 1 a person with dark skin 2 a person with dreadlocked hair.
[NZ] McGill Reed Dict. of N.Z. Sl.