KARATE NEW ZEALAND

The KNZ Referee Council is made up of up to seven members, that reflects both the style and geographic spread of karate within New Zealand.

Our role is to establish and maintain a pool of qualified officials at regional, national and international levels as well as maintain a register of officials and their current qualifications.

We do this by conducting regular training seminars for officials, and by offering accreditation examinations to allow progression though the regional and national levels in both kata and kumite.

The council also develops, maintains and publishes policy on the preparation of New Zealand referees for international accreditation.

Secretary, KNZ Referees Council
Member, OKF Referees Commission
Member, CKF Referees Commission (2022–2024)
Executive Committee Member, Karate Auckland
Wadokai Karate
WKF & OKF A-Grade Referee and Judge
5th Dan Black Belt

Dhammika began his karate training in 1978 in Sri Lanka. He has held several executive positions within the Sri Lanka Karate Federation, including General Secretary, Vice President, and Secretary of the Referee Council, prior to moving to New Zealand.

Dhammika is one of the senior WKF-qualified Referees and Judges in the Oceania region. With over 47 years of karate experience, he was elected in 2025 to the WKF Referees Commission, becoming the first WKFRC member from New Zealand. He is a highly dedicated senior instructor with extensive knowledge of Karate-do and is also the Founder, Chief Instructor, and President of the New Zealand Karate-do Wadokai Academy (NZLKA).

OKF A Referee (Kata & Kumite)

Shito-Ryu Karate

Black Belt 4th Dan

2023 Oceania Karate Federation A Qualifications

2007 Karate New Zealand Qualifications

With officiating credentials held since 2007, Zhiming has represented New Zealand internationally at the Oceania Karate Championships for over a decade. His technical knowledge, drawn from over 25 years in multiple martial arts, is dedicated to advancing officiating standards and mentoring the next generation of referees in New Zealand.