NZ ITF Taekwon-Do

Our values we stand by ❤️👊🇳🇿💪 www.nz-itf.org

3 Sisters! Commitment! Hard work! Taekwon-Do Girls! 🥋

Dezaiya is the older one and continues to work hard. Honestly, every event she has entered, she has done well. She is a force to not be reckoned with!

Now her two twin sisters are following in her footsteps. The training, persistence and hard work is paying off.

We are so proud to have families like these 3 involved in our centre. Determined, loyal and committed.

Dezaiya started Taekwon-Do at 6/7 years old at Te Awa School with Ben. Since then she has travelled to Argentina, USA and Australia, bringing home Gold, Silver and many other achievements — including 2 Gold at the ITF World Cup in Argentina, Gold in Florida, and Gold in Brisbane for sparring, team patterns and team self-defence.

But none of this happens without family support, instructor support and most importantly, the willingness to work hard and improve.

This is our culture at our centre.

In all honesty, we are not a McDonald's drive-through for belts 😂. We grade twice a year because we genuinely care about students improving, putting in the work and understanding what their belt actually means.

And to top it off, our athletes with disabilities are given the same opportunities and expectations.

Hard work. Commitment. Loyalty. That's Taekwon-Do. 🥋

Train smarter. Teach better. Grow the art.
NZ ITF is now offering two online platforms built to support students and instructors right across the country.
The Online Training & Grading Portal all 24 ITF patterns with move-by-move breakdowns, written theory testing, and video submission for each grading requirement. Every submission is marked by an examiner with written feedback, so students know exactly where they stand and what to work on. Live chat support and a progress dashboard keep learners connected between classes.
The Instructors Pathway a structured programme for anyone wanting to step up and teach, starting at Assistant Instructor level and continuing through the instructor grades. It combines practical and theoretical learning:
Practical: class delivery, coaching and correction, warm-up and safety, adapting sessions for mixed abilities, running a class from start to finish
Theoretical: ITF history and terminology, pattern theory, grading standards, student welfare, and the responsibilities that come with wearing the instructor title
Assessment is done through video submission and written theory, so members can progress from their own dojang, in their own time, with feedback from qualified examiners at every stage.
Whether you're a student chasing your next belt or a senior grade ready to start teaching, there's now a clear pathway forward.
Get in touch [email protected] | 027 857 3045

Development of strong Inclusive Taekwon-Do leaders continues to carry on at our centre! A few photos were taken from this evenings last class. In particular Megan Chui, 2 Degree, was given the great opportunity to lead and show some of the students how to perform their pattern! We also decided to have a group up at a time going through their pattern. In this case, Dan Gun Tul 😇👌 I am proud that our centre has those with disabilities who are learning how to be good leaders within our training centre. Their attitude is second to none and they continue to be kind and very supportive of all students at the centre during the week. Megan continues to work hard and is starting to really show some excellent results. Keep it up, you will get to 3 Dan before you know it with excellent attitude and hardwork!

Meet Poto! Just 6 years old, started at 3, look at the subtle transformation she has made! Again we emphasise Taekwon-Do is not something belts are just given quickly. Its about the journey. Its about learning correctly and to better understand what training in Taekwon-Do really means. Its pretty cool to see the progress each of our kids who start at pre school Saturdays to now attending during the week and such significant progress and sharpness being built in them all. Again congratulations on your efforts and strong commitment Poto 👋👌😇💯

Few away today due to sickness going about but all I believe is reaching 1 Dan or higher is great but commitment and perseverance is more impressive in Taekwon-Do at Black Belt! It takes a special personality to reach this and never give up! Proud of my students always 😇 we work hard at our centre and in the region with all we teach, theres a lot... lots of great subjects and questions covered today at our black belt only training 😇😇

Whilst in Mongolia attending the 11th ITF Asian Taekwon-Do Championships, Ben Evans had the opportunity to be interviewed by DPR KOREA Taekwon-Do Media and appear in their television coverage.

Mr. Ahn from the DPR KOREA Taekwon-Do Team asked Ben a number of questions about his thoughts on Taekwon-Do and DPR KOREA.

Ben spoke very positively about the standard of Taekwon-Do he has witnessed from DPR KOREA, stating that he believes there is no other nation that demonstrates the same level of strength, consistency and high calibre standards year after year.

He also spoke about his hopes for the future of NEW ZEALAND ITF, particularly for the younger generations coming through. His goal is to continue developing our athletes, instructors and future leaders so that, in the distant future, our young New Zealand athletes can develop towards that same level of strength, technical ability and consistency.

Mr. Ahn was extremely kind and positive towards Ben's hopes and vision for the future of NEW ZEALAND ITF, offering encouragement and support for the future plans Ben intends to pursue.

It was a memorable experience to be recognised and interviewed by DPR KOREA Taekwon-Do Media during the Championships, and an opportunity to share a vision for the continued development and future of Taekwon-Do in New Zealand.

There was also a strong sense of Taekwon-Do brotherhood and connection between Ben Evans and Mr. Ahn.

During their conversation, Mr. Ahn revealed that he remembered Ben from 2011, when Ben visited DPR KOREA with his special needs student, Johann Landkroon, who made history by performing what was described as the world’s first Inclusive Taekwon-Do demonstration in the motherland of Taekwon-Do at the ITF World Championships.

Remarkably, Mr. Ahn remembered interviewing Ben following that demonstration all those years ago. Ben was genuinely happy and surprised to discover that Mr. Ahn still remembered him and the connection they had formed through Taekwon-Do.

Following the interview, Ben explained that he had three students competing at the Championships, including his daughter Lila. Mr. Ahn then kindly helped organise an opportunity for Lila to meet Ms. Kim Yu Sim, 4th Degree, DPR KOREA Female ITF World Champion.

The meeting was a special moment for Lila. Ms. Kim Yu Sim offered her words of encouragement for the future, telling her to never give up, continue working hard and believe that one day she can achieve success through her dedication and perseverance.

For Ben, seeing this connection between the generations was particularly meaningful. What began with a meeting and interview in DPR KOREA in 2011 had, years later, come full circle in Mongolia, creating another memorable moment through the shared values and brotherhood of Taekwon-Do. They both connected closely with the famous well known song "I am Korean" which the DPR KOREA team sung to provide further support and encouragement to their team during competition.

🥋 Why Choose NZ ITF Taekwon-Do?

At NZ ITF Taekwon-Do, 115 King Street, we offer a structured martial arts programme designed to develop students from their earliest years through to advanced levels.

We even offer specialised classes for 2–3 year olds, with age-appropriate training that builds coordination, listening, confidence, movement and discipline from the beginning.

As students develop, they progress through structured stages and classes, ensuring they are continually learning, challenged and developing rather than simply repeating the same training.

Our programme includes the complete ITF Taekwon-Do system:

🥋 Patterns – technique, precision & concentration
🥊 Sparring – timing, reactions & strategy
🛡️ Self-Defence – awareness & practical skills
💥 Power Breaking – power, accuracy & commitment
🚀 Special Technique – flexibility, coordination & explosive movement
💪 Physical Training – strength, fitness & conditioning

And beyond martial arts, students develop discipline, respect, confidence, perseverance, focus, resilience and self-control — skills that carry into everyday life.

We believe progression should be earned. Our grading standards are high because we want each belt to represent genuine learning and development. We don't simply give belts for attendance.

It takes time, commitment and hard work from students, instructors and families — but the result is a strong foundation for continued growth and higher standards as students progress.

From their very first class to advanced Taekwon-Doour goal is simple:

Keep learning. Keep improving. Keep being challenged. Keep developing. 🥋

📍 NZ ITF Taekwon-Do — 115 King Street

He's decided he wants to quit Taekwon-Do"

HE'S SIX YEARS OLD😭😂

Last week he decided he was a dinosaur.

Yesterday he cried because his toast was cut into squares instead of triangles.

This morning he announced he's NEVER eating bananas again.

And now, at 6:14pm on a Wednesday…

He's apparently made a carefully considered decision about his long term Taekwon-Do career.

😂😂😂

"What's made him want to stop?"

"Well… Alfie doesn't go anymore."

AH.

Of course.

Alfie.

So after months of building his confidence, discipline and resilience…

We're handing the final decision over to Alfie from Year 1, whose current career ambition is probably to become Spider-Man.

Sound 😂

Sometimes kids genuinely don't enjoy something anymore.

Absolutely listen to them.

But sometimes…

They're tired.

They'd rather play Xbox.

Their mate isn't going.

They got told off for messing around.

Or Instructor committed the absolutely outrageous act of…

asking them to do Taekwon-Do at Taekwon-Do.

😭😂

Sometimes parenting is listening to your child.

And sometimes parenting is:

"That's lovely darling. Get your shoes on."

😂😂😂

Taekwon-Do school owners…

I KNOW you've got some belters.

What's the most ridiculous reason you've ever heard for quitting? 👇😂