Aikido in New Zealand
David Lynch in an article written for the Aikido Journal identified the following key events in the history of Aikido in New Zealand.
- in 1965 Aikido was first established in New Zealand by David LYNCH and his wife, Hisae,
- The first classes were held in Auckland and a Yoshinkai Aikido Institute was opened in November 1967. Lynch arranged the first visits of Japanese teachers during this time. In 1973, he returned to Japan and passed over the Auckland Yoshinkan dojo to his top student, Eddie Wong, who continues to operate the school.
- Nobuo TAKASE arrived in the late 1960's
- In the late 1970's he was appointed representative of the AIKIKAI HOMBU DOJO. Since that time, Aikikai shihan have made regular visits to New Zealand. Takase heads the Shinryukan Dojos throughout New Zealand.
- Ron RUSSELL arrived in New Zealand in 1978
- Ron had trained for many years with the Institute of Aikido (U. K. ). At the time the article was written Ron was running the Kyushindo Dojo in Auckland which was affiliated with the Institute of Aikido. Ron's subsequent history can be found under About Our Club
- In 1987 Junichi Nishimura from Osaka set up an independent dojo in Auckland .
- Keith Hartley spent several months in IWAMA around about 1980 as an UCHIDESHI
- He established an IWAMA-STYLE dojo in Whangarei on his return. Hartley has made several other trips to Japan.
- In 1988, Lynch returned to Auckland after 15 years in Japan
- During this time he trained at various dojos receiving dan grades from each. He opened the Lynch Dojo which operates independently of Japanese organizations and does not award dan rankings.
As of 1990, when the article was written there were approximately 20 aikido schools in New Zealand concentrated in Auckland, but also located in other major centres. The total aikido population of New Zealand at that time was thought to be about 500.
Since the article was written Aikido has continued to grow in New Zealand. New Teachers have arrived in the country and new organisations have evolved. There is no good estimate of the numbers training available but there is a thriving community with classes available in the major cities and many of the smaller ones as well.