Karate New Zealand (KNZ), the National Sporting Organisation (NSO) for Karate, proudly marks its 50th anniversary in 2024. Originally incorporated as the Union of New Zealand Karate Organisations on November 28, 1974, the organisation has evolved into what is now known as Karate New Zealand. This milestone celebrates the sport's introduction to our community and honours the visionaries who brought Karate to New Zealand.

As part of the 2024 National Karate Championships, which will take place in Auckland on Friday, September 6th, and Saturday, September 7th, we warmly invite the founding members and all who wish to celebrate with us. Join us for a special gathering at the Auckland Netball Centre at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 7th.

Karate in NZ can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s when martial artists who trained overseas or immigrated from countries like Japan began teaching Karate across New Zealand. The founding members were pivotal in this journey with their dedication and passion. The need for a national governing body became clear as the sport's popularity grew, leading to KNZ's establishment. This unified various Karate styles and represented New Zealand in international competitions.

Over the years, KNZ has been instrumental in developing Karate nationally, organising tournaments, promoting grassroots participation, and ensuring New Zealand Karatekas can compete internationally. As an affiliate of the World Karate Federation (WKF), KNZ aligns with global standards while continuing to oversee and support both traditional and competitive Karate in New Zealand.

We are updating our records of the Presidents and Secretary-General and the years that they led the charge. Your contributions, whether it's a personal anecdote or a historical fact, are invaluable to us. If you have any information, we would appreciate it if you could email this information to Jimileen Tamaki, secretary.coachingcouncil@karatenz.org.nz. Your involvement will help us preserve and celebrate the rich history of KNZ. More information will be made available in the coming weeks.

Article added: Thursday 15 August 2024