Second Notice of AGM

AGM Second Notice

Tragic death of our President Grand Master Trân Triêu Quân

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the tragic death of Grand Master TrânTriêu Quân, 9th Degree Black Belt, and President of the International Taekwon-Do Federation as a result of the recent earthquake in Haiti. 

The International Taekwon-Do Foundation of New Zealand extends its deepest condolences to Mrs Tran, the Tran family and close friends.  Our thoughts and prayers of comfort are with them at this time of grief and sorrow.  

To the International Taekwon-Do Federation Board, Grandmasters, Masters, Instructors and students from around the world.  We stand united with you in your sympathies for our beloved President and his family.  We believe the bond and friendships between all our nations will be forever strengthened and remain strong. 

Yours truly,

Master Evan Davidson

ITF Website Press Release | Condolance Book | News Article

Master Low

Master McPhail had the privilege of meeting Master Low Ming Tuck (8th dan) for lunch in Perth recently. Master Low is the son of Master Low Koon Lin, who was Master McPhail's Instructor's Instructor. Mr Norman Ng learnt Taekwon-Do from Low Koon Lin in Malaysia in the late 1960s and was graded to 1st dan by General Choi's right hand man, Grand Master Nam Tae Hi.

Master McPhail said it was great to hear stories of training in these early days in Malaysia. Master Low told him that his Father did not start training until he was in his late 30s. He was a 1st dan in Judo and saw a demonstration put on by General Choi. He was mesmerised by what he saw and General Choi saw his potential, taking him for personal training while he was in Malaysia as Korean Ambassador. Master Low Koon Lim went on to be one of General Chois key instructors in Asia, producing many famous black belts.

Master Low Ming Tuck moved to Australia to study in 1971 and is now an 8th degree black belt and professional Instructor.

Master McPhail is currently in Australia running seminars in Queensland and Western Australia.

Master Low Ming Tuck with Master McPhail.
Master Low is Master McPhail's Instructor's Instructor's son!

Mark Trotter Seminar in Santiago, Chile

On Saturday the 9th of January Mr. Mark Trotter, member of the New Zealand National Team and instructor of Impact Kingsland, taught a day-long seminar organised by the President of ITF in Chile, Mr. Eduardo Oviedo (5th Dan). There were two three hour sessions. The first session was dedicated to patterns and the second to sparring. Despite the seminar being in the middle of the summer holidays there was an awesome turn out as Taekwon-Do practitioners from clubs all over Santiago, including many members of the national team, came to see what Mark as both a competitor and a coach had to offer. Everyone trained hard and had lots of fun. All participants demonstrated a lot of spirit to be able to train so hard in the 35 degree heat inside the stadium that day!

Thank you very much to Mr. Oviedo for organising the seminar and to everyone for their amazing hospitality. During our time here in Chile Mark and I have also had the pleasure to train with Mr. Ernesto Reyes (4th Dan) and Mr. Javier Varela (3rd Dan and World Champion in 2002 & 2004). We have learned much about the history and development of ITF Taekwon-Do in Chile. We look forward to continuing to build a good and strong relationship with our friends in Chile, many of whom will visit NZ for the World Champs in 2011.

Muchos saludos,

Carolina Dillen
1st Dan, Impact Mt. Wellington

New White Belt

Welcome to Antun Banicevich - son of Mark and Michelle, arrived 18th December at 3.40am! He weighed in at 3.17kg (7lbs), with fair hair and blue eyes. Everyone doing well.

TV3 feature our Team 09

TV3 filmed a story on our World Champs success - so as many of the team got together as possible. We will keep you informed as to when this will screen. Note our new branding on the banners - the first time we have seen our new logo rolled out.

More photos

Ian Walton received 25 Year Plaque

Wellington Instructor Mr Ian Walton was honoured in a special dinner on Saturday 14th November 2009. Over 50 turned up at a local dessert restaurant and Mr Walton's speech was all about how there were lots of other people who had done a lot more than him. Humble as always. The region got him weekend away at Wellington’s best hotel. He was also awarded the coveted 25 Year Plaque.

Mr Ian Walton - featured Instructor in the latest issue of Taekwon-Do Talk Magazine

Blues Award

Congratulations to the following members who received the New Zealand Universities Blues Awards for 2009: Carl Van Roon, Carolina Dillen, Eliza Buckland, Ben Gower and Estee Speirs. Carolina won the University of Auckland Sportswoman of the Year, and Most Meritorious Performance in Sport. (Former winners of the latter include Sarah Ulmer, Russell Coutts and Michael Jones, twice).

Eliza Buckland, Ben Gower and Estee Speirs receiving their awards in Palmerston North

Carolina receiving most meritorious sports performance

Carl van Roon receiving blues award

Congratulations Porirua

Porirua Club has won the best sports club award for Porirua City. From here they move onto the Regional award end of this month.

Porirua instructor Mr Peter Chapman pictured far right.

Khandallah 30th Reunion

The khandallah branch celebrated its 30th anniversary last weekend with a training conducted by several of the past instructors including Master Davidson, Master McPhail< Mr Rimmer and Mr George Nichols. They also had a dinner and slide show which brought back many fond memories. A full report will be in the upcoming issue of Taekwon-Do Talk Magazine.

Photo 1: Peter Gudsell, Richard Lavin & James Rimmer at the training session
Photo 2: Dave Nendick sporting his favourite old dobok from the 80s
Photo 3: George Nichols (Master Davidson's first student) and Master Davidson talking old times
Photo 3: Old members and flatmates from the 80s: Greg Crayford, Viv Holmes, Sue Burton & Master McPhail

Carl Matthews visits Rarotonga

Kia Orana all,

ITFNZ Sponsorship & Funding Director Mr Carl Mathews and his wife arrived in Rarotonga on Sunday 16th August and were surprised to be greeted at the airport by the Chief Instructor Mr Maara John. Being greeted with flower garlands was also obviously surprising for them both!

Their first couple of days here on in beautiful Raro has been just so amazing. He joined the Panama Club for his ever first Taekwon-Do training in the Cook Islands and he really enjoyed the night spent with the green and blue stripe students. He also had the privilege of meeting the rest of the students, as well as the black belts, Ben Nga-Maaka and Keith Koekoe.

Mr Matthews will be accompanying Mr John to visit Te Aorangi Taekwon-Do Club and he is also looking forward to another day of training with the students and also to meet with Poko Poko. While spending his time training with the Panama Club on Wednesday night, his wife had the privilege of watching the world youth netball championship currently being held in the newly Telecom Sports Arena situated not far from the Nikao CICC Hall where we always hold our student grading.

This is just a brief update of Carl's visit to Rarotonga and the Taekwon-Do clubs here and more updates to come soon. Furthermore, Maara has just completed the pre-grading for the Te Aorangi students last Wednesday 12th August 09 and will be holding the pre-grading for the Panama Students this Thursday. We are currently preparing ourselves for the upcoming student grading next Saturday 29th August and we are all looking forward to meeting with you all again.

Kind Regards
Angela Charlie

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