Whangarei Jiu jitsu - est 1985

07/06/2026

Reading posts of harassment in and around town is both upsetting and, unfortunately, becoming far too common.

Being involved in the Whangarei Jiu Jitsu Club, we are seeing and hearing more stories of intimidation, bullying, group assaults, and young people feeling unsafe in places where they should be able to simply enjoy being themselves.

This type of behaviour is not acceptable. No young person should have to fear walking through town, and no parent should have to worry about whether their child will make it home safely after meeting friends.

While incidents like this often make headlines, the underlying issues are usually a lack of respect, accountability, self-discipline, confidence, and positive role models. These are qualities that traditional martial arts work hard to develop.

At Whangarei Jiu Jitsu Club, we teach traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu. Yes, we teach practical self-defence, but more importantly we teach confidence, awareness, discipline, respect, conflict avoidance, and how to remain calm under pressure. Our goal is not to create fighters; it is to help create responsible, confident members of our community.

This is not intended as an advertisement. We are a not- for- profit club run by sensei's who genuinely care about helping people and making our community safer. If any parents have teenagers who could benefit from learning self-defence, building confidence, or simply being part of a positive environment, our doors are always open.

Due to the advanced nature of the techniques taught in our style, we generally accept students who are close to 15 years of age and older.

Nobody should have to feel hunted, threatened, or unsafe in our town. As a community, we can and must do better.

31/05/2026

08/05/2026

Last night was a proud moment at Whangarei Jiu Jitsu Club as our very own Ian graded to Brown Belt in our traditional Nihon Goshin style of Jiu Jitsu. 👏🥋

A Brown Belt is not simply awarded for turning up — it represents years of dedication, discipline, perseverance, resilience, and continuous learning. Numerous hours on the mat, pushing through challenges, supporting training partners, refining technique, and developing both physical strength and mental toughness have all led to this achievement.

Ian’s journey reflects what traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu is truly about. It is not just self-defence — it is personal growth. Through consistent training, students develop confidence, fitness, awareness, respect, self-control, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Our style teaches practical self-defence while also building character, leadership, and resilience that carry through into everyday life.

One of the greatest things about Nihon Goshin Jiu Jitsu is that it is for everyday people. You do not need to be an athlete to start. People of all backgrounds and experience levels can benefit from training, whether their goal is self-defence, fitness, confidence, discipline, stress relief, or simply being part of a supportive community.

Achievements like this do not happen alone. They are built with the support of instructors, training partners, friends, and whānau who all contribute to the journey along the way.

Congratulations to Ian on a well deserved promotion to Brown Belt.
A huge thank you to the grading panel, the uke's for Ian's grading and as always, our sensei's that always turn up to look after the students!
Osu! 👊🥋

11/04/2026

Kia ora Whānau,

In the wake of cyclone Vaianu moving across Northland, we wanted to take a moment to check in with all of our members, families, and the wider community.

First and foremost — we hope you and your loved ones are safe.

Events like this remind us that while training, fitness, and discipline are important, nothing matters more than the wellbeing of our people. Please take the time you need to look after your homes, support your families, and check in on neighbours who may need a hand. Even a small act of kindness can make a big difference during times like these.

If anyone in our club or wider community has been impacted — whether it’s damage to property, disrupted routines, or just feeling the weight of it all — please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are more than a club; we are a community, and we stand together. If there’s a way we can support you, even if it’s just connecting you with others who can help, we want to know.

Pease prioritise safety, follow local guidance, and avoid unnecessary travel if conditions remain unstable.

To our extended Whangārei and Northland community — stay safe, look after one another, and take care on the roads and around flooded or damaged areas.

We will be back on the mats tomorrow - just a reminder, we train every Monday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm at the Glenbervie Hall.

Stronger together — on and off the mats.

Ngā mihi nui,
Whangarei Jiu Jitsu Club

25/03/2026

⚠️ Training Cancelled – Thursday 26 March ⚠️

Due to the severe weather watch in Northland, Chris has made an executive Health & Safety decision to cancel training scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday 26 March.

The safety of our members is our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding.

Please stay safe and we look forward to seeing everyone back at training on Monday next week.

02/02/2026

🔥 WHAT. A. WAY. TO. START. THE. YEAR. 🔥

Our first night back on the mat and we had 12 strong turn up — including an incredible 6 Black Belt Sensei on the mats. Experience, tradition, humility, and passion all in one room. The energy was unreal, the technique sharp, and the camaraderie exactly what Whangarei Jiu-Jitsu is about.

If this is how we’re starting, 2026 is going to be something special.
More training. More learning. More growth. More laughs. More sweat. And a lot more excellence on the mat. 🥋

This club has 40 years of history, and nights like this remind us why traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu is still as relevant — and powerful — as ever.

👋 Thinking about joining?
If you’ve ever been curious about Jiu-Jitsu, now is the perfect time to step in and have a chat with us.

Traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (Nihon Goshin) isn’t just about fighting — it’s about:
Real-world self-defence and awareness
Building confidence, discipline, and mental resilience
Functional strength, mobility, and balance
Respect, tradition, and personal development

Training in a supportive, welcoming environment — no egos, no attitude
You don’t need to be fit. You don’t need experience. You just need the willingness to learn and you need to be 15 or older.

📍 Training Times & Location
🗓 Mondays & Thursdays - 6pm to 8pm.
📍 Glenbervie Hall, Whangārei

Come along, watch a class, ask questions, and see if it’s for you. We’re always happy to talk Jiu-Jitsu.

Big year ahead. Strong club. Proud tradition.
Let’s go. 💪🥋

20/01/2026

🌸 WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR OF TRAINING – WE’RE BACK ON THE MATS! 🌸

As we step into another year, Whangārei Jiu Jitsu Club warmly welcomes our local community — whether you’re a long-time supporter, a returning student, or someone curious about traditional Japanese martial arts.

For over 40 years, our club has proudly taught Nihon Goshin Jiu Jitsu, a traditional Japanese system focused on practical self-defence, discipline, confidence, and personal growth. Our training is structured, progressive, and grounded in real-world application — not trends or competition, but skills that develop both body and mind.

🥋 WHY TRAIN WITH US?
Training Nihon Goshin Jiu Jitsu helps you:
Learn effective, practical self-defence
Build confidence, awareness, and resilience
Improve strength, balance, mobility, and coordination
Reduce stress and develop mental focus
Train in a respectful, supportive environment

🤝 A TRUE COMMUNITY CLUB
We are a not-for-profit, community-focused club, which means our membership fees are kept extremely low to ensure martial arts training remains accessible to everyone. When you join us, you’re joining a welcoming community that supports learning, respect, and long-term growth.

👀 COME AND HAVE A LOOK
If you’re interested, we invite you to pop in, watch a class, and have a chat with our instructors to experience our training style and club culture firsthand. There’s no pressure — just an open door.

📌 PLEASE NOTE:
Due to the advanced nature of our syllabus, we accept students 15 years and older.
📅 WE’RE BACK ON THE MATS!

Our first training session for the year is Monday, 2nd February, and we’d love to see both familiar and new faces on the mat.

🥋 Whangārei Jiu Jitsu Club — Traditional. Practical. Community-Driven. 🥋

01/01/2026

As we stand at the threshold of a brand-new year, we want to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible journey 2025 has been for the Whangarei Jiu-Jitsu family—and to look forward with excitement, gratitude, and optimism to everything that 2026 holds.
2025 was a year of growth, resilience, and connection. Our dojo was filled with energy, discipline, and camaraderie as new students walked through our doors for the first time, existing students deepened their practice, and friendships were forged on the mat that extend well beyond training hours. Every bow onto the mat, every technique practised, every moment of perseverance reminded us why this club has such a strong heart and legacy.
To our new students—thank you for trusting us with your journey. Watching you take your first steps, build confidence, and become part of our community has been one of the highlights of the year. To our long-standing members, your commitment, humility, and willingness to support others continue to set the standard for what Whangarei Jiu-Jitsu stands for. You are the backbone of this club.
As we step into 2026, we do so with a sense of new beginnings. A new year brings fresh goals, renewed focus, and exciting opportunities. We look forward to welcoming more students, sharpening our skills, strengthening our bodies and minds, and continuing to uphold the values of traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu—respect, discipline, and self-improvement.
There is so much to be excited about in the year ahead: continued learning, personal breakthroughs, shared challenges, and plenty of moments that will push us outside our comfort zones—in the best possible way. Most of all, we look forward to continuing to grow together, as a club and as individuals.
Thank you to every student, instructor, supporter, and family member who makes Whangarei Jiu-Jitsu what it is. Your dedication and passion are what turn a dojo into a community.
Here’s to 2026—a year of progress, purpose, and powerful new chapters on and off the mat. We can’t wait to see what we achieve together.
Happy New Year from all of us at Whangarei Jiu-Jitsu.

14/12/2025

And just when we thought that really was the final post of the year… here’s one more — and what a way to close it out! 🥋✨

This truly marks the end of what has been a fantabulous journey for the Whangarei Jiu Jitsu Club as we celebrate 40 tremendous years 🎉🥋
Forty years of training, tradition, camaraderie, and community. Forty years of people stepping onto the mats, pushing themselves, supporting one another, and carrying forward a martial art built on respect, discipline, and heart 🙇‍♂️💪❤️

Our 40th Anniversary celebration was everything we could have hoped for and more — deeply memorable, incredibly special, and filled with moments that reminded us exactly why this club has stood strong for four decades 🏆

We were absolutely honoured to have Sensei Walter and his family travel up from Auckland to celebrate this milestone with us 🚗👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Your presence meant more than words can express, and sharing this occasion with you and your family made the night all the more meaningful 🤝❤️

We were also privileged to be joined by Sensei Gary Trail, another true legend of our martial art 🥋🔥
Having such respected figures with us was a powerful reminder of the lineage, history, and depth behind what we practise every week on the mats 📜🙏

A particularly special — and emotional — highlight of the evening was the presentation of Life Memberships of the NZ Jiu Jitsu Association to Sensei Paul Ballantine and Sensei Stephen Moore presented by our Shihan, Sensei Chris 🏅🥋

This recognition is a true reflection of their unwavering dedication, long-standing commitment, and steadfast service — not only to the Whangarei Jiu Jitsu Club, but also to the New Zealand Jiu Jitsu Association and, most importantly, to the students they have supported, mentored, and inspired over many years 👊📘

Their contribution goes far beyond techniques. It’s about leadership, guidance, integrity, and preserving the spirit of our art for future generations 🙏🔥

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room… 😄
These are two tough old bastards on the mats 💪🥋 — resilient, uncompromising, and never shy about pushing standards — but as the evening proved, they’re also absolute softies at heart ❤️
Watching both Sensei Paul and Sensei Stephen get emotional and teary-eyed during the presentations was a moment many of us won’t forget anytime soon 🥹👏
And yes… we have photographic evidence 📸😂 — which will no doubt resurface at the most “appropriate” times in the future.

Moments like these remind us that Whangarei Jiu Jitsu is more than just a club.
It’s a family 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦
It’s a shared journey 🛤️
Built on respect, loyalty, hard work, and genuine care for one another 🤝🥋

Forty years on, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us — grateful for the past, proud of the present, and excited for what lies ahead 🚀🥋

To everyone who has been part of this journey — past and present — thank you for helping make the last 40 years truly special 🙌

Here’s to the legacy, the laughter, the tears, and the mats that continue to bring us together.
Whangarei Jiu Jitsu — 40 years strong. 🥋🔥🎉

13/12/2025

And that’s a wrap for the year! 🥋

We officially closed out our training year on Thursday night in the best possible way — with another well-earned grading.

A huge congratulations to our very own legend, Thomas Donelley, who successfully graded from Yellow Belt to Orange Belt 👏👏

Tomo - this grading is a true reflection of the year you’ve put in. Your dedication and consistency on the mats have been nothing short of outstanding. Week in and week out, you showed up ready to train, ready to learn, and willing to push yourself — even when it was tough. That level of commitment has translated directly into clear technical improvement, stronger fundamentals, sharper ex*****on, and growing confidence in your jiu jitsu.

What has really stood out is the way you approach your training with humility and focus. You listen, you apply feedback, you ask questions, and you keep refining your technique. Your progress over the past year has been steady and well-earned, and this step up to Orange Belt marks an important milestone in your journey. It’s never just about the belt — it’s about the work, mindset, and discipline that get you there.

You’ve also set a fantastic example for others coming through the ranks, showing that consistency, patience, and commitment truly pay off. This grading recognises not only the progress you’ve made so far, but the potential we know you still have ahead of you.

We’d also like to finish the year with a massive shout-out to all our Sensei 🙏
Thank you for always being there to guide, support, challenge, and inspire us. Your knowledge, leadership, and dedication to both the art and your students are what make Whangarei Jiu Jitsu such a special place to train. Achievements like this don’t happen without your tireless support behind the scenes.

Enjoy the break everyone, take pride in how far you’ve come this year, and come back ready to keep building in the year ahead.

Whangarei Jiu Jitsu — finishing the year strong, and building more just better martial artists, but better humans - every step of the way. 🥋🔥