JNZ Instructor Profiles

Blake TURNBULL

National Instructor

Dan: 4th-dan

Dojo: Kyoto, Japan (originally Dunedin, NZ)

Blake started training in Goju-Ryu Karate in 1996 at the age of four. He has trained continuously ever since, earning his Sho-dan at the age of 16. In 2008, he first trained at the Jundokan So-Honbu in Okinawa, and has continued to refine his knowledge and skills in Goju-Ryu ever since. Karate inspired him to major in Japanese at university, and after moving to Japan in 2016, he now speaks Japanese fluently and regularly trains at the Jundokan multiple times a year. He has served as interpreter at numerous Jundokan events, offering him rare insights into both the art and its transmission. In 2019, he started the Kyoto branch of the Jundokan, and continues to share what he learns at the Jundokan with JNZ members during his trips back to New Zealand.

Paul ALLOTT

Technical Advisor, Shibucho

Dan: 7th-dan

Dojo: Nelson

Paul began his martial arts journey at the age of 10, training in Judo under Japanese-trained instructor Bill Morrison. In 1983, he started his Karate training and was awarded Sho-dan (1st Dan) in 1986 under Craig Barlow-sensei, Founder and Chief Instructor of Cho-Wa-Do. After a decade of dedication to this style, Paul shifted his focus to Goju-Ryu Karate, forging a strong relationship with Miyazato Eiichi-sensei and the Jundokan Dojo in Okinawa. In 1999, he was honoured to receive Go-dan (5th Dan) from Miyazato-sensei. Paul is now recognised as a New Zealand Shibucho (Overseas Head) for the Jundokan Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-do Sohonbu Dojo. His most recent grading was held in Okinawa in 2019, where he was promoted to Nana-dan (7th Dan) under the guidance of Gima Tetsu-sensei, Kinjo Tsuneo-sensei, Higa Kazuya-sensei, and Miyazato Yoshihiro-Kancho. With over 50 years of experience in martial arts, Paul is passionate about sharing his knowledge and encouraging the next generation to embrace martial arts as a lifelong journey of discipline, growth, and community.

Bryan WILLIAMS

Shibucho

Dan: 6th-dan

Dojo: Taupaki (Auckland)

Bryan started training as a karate student with GKR Karate on 22 January 1996 and trained through to 6 May 2002. In that style, he earned the grade of Shodan on 11 September 2001, and also became a level four instructor and level four referee. In May 2002, he continued his training under Dennis May, a Hachi Dan Goju-Ryu instructor operating in Auckland. Under Sensei Dennis May, he was graded to San Dan in the Goju-Ryu style. In late September 2009, he developed a karate relationship with Paul Allott and David Low, both highly respected and competent karate-ka and jointly incorporated Jundokan New Zealand Inc. This group has become an established training platform for Goju Ryu karate involving separate dojo developments across New Zealand. In this setting he has enjoyed many co-operative training sessions and participated in many trips to the Jundokan in Okinawa. In 2023, he graded to Roku Dan.

David LOW

Dan: 5th-dan

Dojo: Westport

Dave started training in 1984 in Cho Wa-Do; a form very similar to Seido Karate. He trained there for 8 years, eventually reaching Ni-dan. Over the following years, he trained in various different types of martial arts while away with work, including Taekwondo, Chinese kempo, Chidokan karate etc. Dave switched to Goju-Ryu karate in 1993, first training with Higaonna Mori-sensei for few years, before moving to be a part of the Jundokan in about 2002. He had a brief stint training with the kyokai for a few years, before returning to the Jundokan, which he has since found to be his home. His philosophy in training is simple: don’t stop training.

Paul HENLEY

Dan: 4th-dan

Dojo: Nelson

Paul started Shotokan karate with SEKU in England with Senseis Dave Hazard and Mick Dewey in 1983, training for 4 years. After taking a break, he gained Shodan in 1995 in NZ, and Nidan in 1998 with JKA  and JKS. Upon moving to Nelson from Auckland, he trained with Andrew Paxton and started with Sensei Paul Allott and the Jundokan in 2012. He gained Sandan in 2013, and on a visit to the Jundokan So-Honbu dojo in Okinawa, he was awarded Yondan in 2023. He continues to train in Blenheim, Westport, and Nelson. He would like to extend many thanks to all his teachers, most of all Sensei David Low.

David MARTIN

Dan: 3rd-dan

Dojo: Taupaki (Auckland)

David started training in Goju-Ryu Karate in 2004 when Sensei Bryan Williams opened a dojo in Taupaki, north west Auckland. He earned his Sho-dan at the the 2008 memorial seminar in Naha. David continues to train at Taupaki and was promoted to San-dan on a return trip to the Jundokan in 2015 under Gima Tetsu-sensei and Kinjo Tsuneo-sensei.

Amy WHITE

Dan: 2nd-dan

Dojo: Taupaki (Auckland)

Amy began training in Goju-Ryu Karate in Taupkai at age seven under Sensei Bryan Williams and has trained with him ever since. She was promoted to Sho-dan at a JNZ seminar in Auckland. In 2023, under Gima Tetsu-Sensei, Kinjo Tsuneo-Sensei, Higa Kazuya-Sensei and Miyazato Yoshihiro-Kancho, she was promoted to Ni-dan at the Jundokan in Okinawa. Amy remains committed to her training and continues to refine her skills in Auckland.

Andy BRANNEN

Dan: 2nd-dan

Dojo: Nelson

Andy started training with his two boys under Sensei's Paul Allott and Paul Henley as a way to keep a better level of fitness, learn new skills, and most importantly spend quality time with his boys. He is proud to say that they are all still training together 10 years later. He recently graded to Nidan, with his oldest son grading to Adult Shodan under all of the JNZ seniors. His youngest is aiming for Adult Shodan in the coming year. Andy is inspired by the variety, depth of knowledge, and sharing within the Jundokan group, and he looks forward to further learning and improvement as he progresses.

Morgan BARAK

Dan: 2nd-dan

Dojo: Nelson

Morgan started Goju Ryu karate when he was 7 under Sensei Paul Allott in Richmond, Nelson. In 2018, he received his junior Sho-dan in Westport and in the 2021 Seminar, he graded to Sho-dan in Wakefield. Morgan currently still trains in the Richmond Dojo, utilizing the spare time from his gap year to upkeep regular attendance, improve, and encourage others to do the same. He graded to Ni-Dan during the 2025 seminar, and hopes to take what he has learned from this experience back into the dojo.

Catherine BARAK

Dan: 1st-dan

Dojo: Nelson

After leaving university in the UK, Catherine joined her local karate club—a full-contact Kyokushin style—which she followed for 4 years. Fast forward past emigration to NZ, and three children later, she took up Goju-ru karate (again the local style) in an effort to keep fit and keep up with her boys! Of the two, she prefers Goju-Ryu for its emphasis on self-defence and close proximity techniques. After receiving her shodan in 2019, she has spent much of her time in the dojo working to build up the numbers post-COVID. She has helped the Nelson dojo grow a solid foundation, and she looks forward to furthering her own training in future.