Our Organisation
Jundokan New Zealand Inc (JNZ) is a non profit organisation established to promote the practice and study of Gōjū-Ryū karate in New Zealand. The organisation is an official branch of the Jundokan Sō-Honbu Dojo in Okinawa, Japan, and we aim to cultivate the techniques and spirit of the Jundokan, including mutual respect and friendship amongst our members, accordingly.
We have dojos (training centres) in Nelson, Taupaki, and Westport, where our members meet regularly to practice (see the ‘Dojos’ page for specific information and contact details of each dojo).
History
JNZ was established in 2009 under the leadership of Paul Allott-sensei and formally registered as an Incorporated Society.
Since its founding, the organisation has been guided by Paul-sensei and Bryan Williams-sensei—both serving as shibu-cho to the Jundokan Sō-honbu Dojo in Okinawa—and has steadily expanded to support dojos across both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
In 2019, Paul-sensei appointed Blake Turnbull as National Instructor. Together with the senior dojo instructors, they continue to foster the growth of JNZ through regular training sessions, gasshukus, and dan gradings, while working to teach and promote traditional Gōjū-Ryū Karate do as it is taught and practised at the Jundokan.