Huge Grading
8 Dec 2025
Kingsland Martial arts runs the largest black belt grading in NZ Hapkido history
About Hapkido
Hapkido 합기도 ("way of coordinated power"—hap=harmony, ki=energy, do=way) is a Korean self-defence art originating from Japanese Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, blending Taekwondo-style striking with jujutsu grappling.
This discipline teaches you to defend yourself and others against a variety of attacks. It combines hand strikes and powerful kicking with joint locks, pressure points, holds, takedowns and throws—ideal for smaller practitioners redirecting stronger opponents through circular motion.
Hapkido includes the use of everyday items, such as coins, pens, magazines, and bags as defensive weapons. It also offers very good all-round physical training - improving your aerobic capability, strength, stamina and flexibility.
The emphasis is not on hurting other people, but on being able to protect yourself and others around you with reasonable force. Hapkido's techniques are based on an opponent's attack, meeting that attack, turning it back on the attacker, and following through with offensive finishing techniques if required.
Hapkido in New Zealand
Hapkido was introduced to New Zealand by Grand Master Lee Jung Nam who holds 9th-degree black belts in both Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do. Grand Master Lee and his family moved to New Zealand in 1974 after he made friendships with New Zealanders while serving in Vietnam as a Captain in the Korean Army where, as part of his duties, he taught unarmed combat.
On his arrival in New Zealand Grand Master Lee began to promote Taekwondo to the general public and taught Hapkido to the New Zealand Police, the Ministry of Transport and to Prison Officers.
Many of Master Lee's original students have set up clubs around NZ, including Callum Forbes, who now runs the New Zealand Hapkido Federation headquarters in Upper Hutt.
Master Lee retired from Hapkido in 2006 and since then Callum Forbes has been the head of New Zealand Hapkido.
New Zealand Hapkido
The New Zealand Hapkido is the governing body of traditional hapkido in New Zealand, based at our Headquarters club in Upper Hutt.
World Kido Federation / Hanminjok Hapkido Association
In recent years we have added (where appropriate) additional
Hapkido material taught to us by Grand Master In Sun Seo who heads the World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association.
Club News
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Black Belt Grading 6 Dec 2025
20 Nov 2025
We're holding a black belt grading for adults and children on Saturday, 6 December 2025.
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Oceania Cup 2025
17 Oct 2025
Congratulations to all our KMA team members who participated in this weekend's Oceania Cup in Upper Hutt, Wellington.
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August Children's Grading
18 Sep 2025
Congratulations to all our graders! Across all 3 classes we graded 30 young students!
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2025 Hoodies & t-shirts order
1 Sep 2025
We're doing a fresh print run of our popular tee shirts and hoodies for pre-order only, so get in quick. Orders close 18 September 2025
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Oceania Cup 2025
2 Aug 2025
Join the excitement and test your Hapkido skills at the Oceania Cup 2025!
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Black Belt Grading 26 July 2025
2 Aug 2025
Congratulations to our newest Black Belt members!
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Children's classes term 1 2025
23 Jan 2025
The first children's classes will be held on the 8th of February.