Japan Karate Association New Zealand Ltd

01/09/2026

31/08/2026

🥋🇯🇵 ONE WEEK TO GO! 🇳🇿🥋

The countdown is on! In just ONE WEEK, JKA New Zealand will proudly welcome Shihan Kunio Kobayashi, 7th Dan, JKA Headquarters Japan, to New Zealand. 🇯🇵✈️🇳🇿

This will be Shihan Kobayashi’s first visit to New Zealand, and we are incredibly excited to have the opportunity to train, learn and be inspired by one of JKA’s highly respected instructors.

Karateka from across New Zealand are preparing for an unforgettable week of training, friendship and true JKA spirit. 👊

📅 8–13 September 2026
📍 Auckland | Kapiti Coast | Timaru

The countdown has officially begun… 7 DAYS TO GO! 🔥🥋

06/08/2026

🚨 BIG NEWS FOR JKA NEW ZEALAND! 🚨

We are excited to announce that JKA Tomyris Christchurch has officially joined JKA New Zealand!

This is an exciting milestone as JKA Tomyris becomes our second dojo in Christchurch, further strengthening the JKA community and expanding opportunities for traditional Shotokan Karate in the South Island.

A huge welcome to Sensei Liviu Nicolaie and all the students of JKA Tomyris. We are excited to have you as part of the JKA New Zealand family and look forward to many years of training, friendship, and shared success together.

Please join us in welcoming Sensei Liviu and the entire JKA Tomyris team!
🥋 Welcome to JKA New Zealand! Oss!

03/08/2026

🥋 JKA Timaru hosted JKA New Zealand Chief Instructor, Sensei Karl Naoroji, for a Standardisation Seminar held on Saturday & Sunday, 1–2 August 2026.

Over the weekend, members trained intensively in Kihon, Kata (Heian Nidan, Heian Yondan, Tekki Sandan, Kanku Dai & Kanku Sho), Bunkai, and Kumite. The seminar provided valuable technical instruction, with a strong emphasis on improving fundamentals, refining technique, and deepening our understanding of JKA Shotokan Karate. 🥋

It was inspiring to see every student train with such enthusiasm, focus, and determination throughout the weekend. 🔥👏 The spirit in the dojo reflected the dedication and commitment of everyone in attendance.

A sincere thank you 🙏 to all the members from JKA Timaru and Christchurch who travelled to attend the seminar. Your support, effort, and positive attitude helped make the weekend a great success. 🤝

A special thank you to Sensei Karl Naoroji for sharing his knowledge, experience, and encouragement with our members. Your guidance continues to inspire us to strive for excellence both in the dojo and beyond. 🌟

We look forward to continuing our training and putting these lessons into practice. 💯

Oss! 🥋🇳🇿

08/07/2026

🥋🏆 JKA NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 🏆🥋
Congratulations to all our competitors who took part in the JKA New Zealand National Championships held in Auckland on 28 June 2026. JKA Cockle Bay, JKA Northcote, JKA KCoast, JKA Whanganui, JKA Wellington, JKA Timaru, JKA GardenCity, Mackay Karate Centre-JKA Australia Inc.

What an incredible day of karate, showcasing determination, discipline, respect, and true fighting spirit. Every competitor represented their dojo with pride, whether stepping onto the tatami for the first time or competing at the highest level.

👏 A huge congratulations to all our National Champions and medal winners! Your dedication and countless hours of training have been rewarded.

Thank you to our officials, referees, coaches, volunteers, supporters, and families who helped make this championship such a success. Your commitment to JKA karate is greatly appreciated.

We also extend our sincere congratulations to every dojo represented. The standard of karate continues to grow stronger each year, and it was wonderful to see so many talented karateka competing in the true spirit of the JKA.

🥇🥈🥉 Congratulations to our 2026 Medalists!

📸 Check out the official results below and celebrate the achievements of our competitors.

29/06/2026

🙏 A Message of Appreciation 🙏
To Sensei Lutie, Anne, the members of JKA Australia Inc., JKA New Zealand, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making this weekend's event in Auckland a truly grand success. 🇳🇿🇦🇺🥋

Your friendship, support, generosity, and commitment to traditional karate made this event incredibly special. Events such as these are only possible because of the wonderful people who come together with a shared passion and spirit of camaraderie. 🤝

The Cockle Bay Honbu Dojo training for squad members on Friday, followed by an educative and intense Gasshuku/Seminar on Saturday, and the grand finale, the National JKA NZ Championships and Test Match between Australia and New Zealand on Sunday, made for an unforgettable weekend. 💪🔥🏆

It was a wonderful weekend of building friendships 🤝, learning 📚, sharing experiences 💬, and contributing our very best efforts to our teams and dojos. Countless training hours in the dojo, special drills, and hard work behind the scenes all culminated in positive achievements and favourable results. 🥋👏

A heartfelt thank you to our Australian colleagues for competing in such great spirit, with humility, respect, and true budo values. 🇦🇺Your friendship over the years has strengthened the bond between our organisations, and we deeply appreciate the effort each and every one of you made to travel and be part of this special occasion.

Congratulations to the New Zealand Team 🇳🇿🏆, who turned up determined, focused, and hungry for success this time in the Test Match! A thoroughly deserved victory! 👏💪

Last year, on 25 November, the NZ team was well beaten in Mackay, Australia. On that day, we made a resolute decision to train harder, work smarter, and come back stronger. 💯🔥 This time, the Championships were in New Zealand, the NZ team emerged victorious, and the scores are now even. ⚖️🏆 The friendly banter and camaraderie continue until the teams meet again! 🤝😊

This is exactly what Sensei Lutie and I envisioned when we first put this concept of training and competing together. 🌱✨ To see friendships being formed, standards being lifted, and both nations inspiring one another through karate is truly rewarding.

Members on both sides are putting in tremendous effort, showing greater determination, and gradually building towards our ultimate goal… 🇯🇵 The JKA World Cup, Tokyo – October 2027! 🏆🥋🌏

Until then, let us continue to train hard, support one another, and cherish the friendships that karate has given us. Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to making this weekend such a memorable and successful occasion. 🙏
Sensei Karl Naoroji

23/06/2026

🎉 THE OFFICIAL COUNTDOWN IS ON! 🎉

The wait is almost over, and we are incredibly excited to welcome everyone to this special weekend of karate!
Safe travels to all competitors, instructors, officials, and supporters making their way to the event. We look forward to sharing an unforgettable weekend filled with friendship, spirit, learning, and the true values of traditional JKA Karate.

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to our New Zealand Squad selected to participate in the International Test Match this weekend. We are proud of each and every one of you and wish you the very best. 🇳🇿🥋

NEW ZEALAND TEST MATCH SQUAD :
🥋 Sensei Lizelle Pelser – Team Member & National Coach
🥋 Adele Thurlow
🥋 Appu Geetha-Byju
🥋 Chris van Reenen
🥋 Gavin Chan
🥋 Graeme Gobey
🥋 Isabella Mulheron
🥋 Jamahl James
🥋 Mayu Milua
🥋 Megan Pelser
🥋 Mira Milua
🥋 Momoko Milua
🥋 Ouryu Milua
🥋 Savannah Thompson

Train hard, compete with spirit, and enjoy every moment. We are proud to stand together as JKA New Zealand! 🇳🇿

18/05/2026

JKA Wellington recently hosted a regional seminar, led by Sensei Karl Naoroji, Chief Instructor of JKANZ, on Saturday and Sunday, 16-17 May. Members from Whanganui, Kapiti Coast and Wellington participated with great enthusiasm. The Junior Sessions focused on kihon, Kata and Gohon Kumite, covering technical details extensively. The Senior sessions comprised katas, Empi and Sochin (including bunkai) and Jiyu Ippon Kumite.
We would like to thank JKA Wellington for organizing this event and all members and parents for their support of this event. It was a great success.

06/05/2026

The Day 2 Seminar, held in Auckland on Sunday, 26th April 2026, provided exceptional instruction under the expert guidance of Shihan Taniyama. Junior sessions concentrated on kihon and kihon kumite, while Senior sessions delved into Tekki Sandan and Bassai Sho katas, examining them in detail, including bunkai. We are grateful for the support of all members and parents in making this event a success. Sensei Karl wishes to thank all members, parents and families who attended from the Auckland region and members who have traveled from out of town. We appreciate your commitment and dedication to JKA karate in New Zealand. 🇯🇵 👊🏻 🇳🇿

01/05/2026

The seminar in Auckland, led by Shihan Taniyama, commenced on Saturday, 25th April. It attracted a large turnout of members from across New Zealand. The day's programme featured four comprehensive sessions. Junior sessions covered kihon and kihon kumite, while Senior sessions encompassed kihon, kata (Tekki Nidan & Sochin) and bunkai. The seminar was highly successful, with a strong attendance. We are grateful to all members and organizers for their contributions to this successful event. 🇳🇿 👊🏻 🇯🇵