Zennin Martial Arts is a freestyle martial art system with its basis in Okinawan Goju Karate. Zennin Martial Arts is committed to promoting the value and learning of martial arts to improve the health and well being of it’s members to benefit broad communities throughout New Zealand.

Zennin translates as ‘good people’, relating to the fraternity of positive martial arts instructors and students. Zennin Martial Arts is actively supported by internationally and nationally renowned martial artists who are committed to the ongoing development of the organisation and its members.

The Zennin logo features two dragons facing each other from opposing sides. They symbolise awareness - of self, of others, and of the environment.

Their opposing positions represent balance and perspective, reminding us to stay alert, adaptable, and centred at all times.

Zennin Martial Arts came into being in February ???

Although Zennin is a relatively new martial arts system, the original instructors have been training in Zen Do Kai for many years: some as long as 30 years.

For a while now, as instructors, we have attempted to bring more practical application to the Zen Do Kai kata as some aspects lacked real-life (street) application. As Zen Do Kai kata were originally based on Goju Ryu kata, we were starting to make subtle changes to Zen Do Kai kata using the Goju combat applications to improve the impact of teaching and learning them. I have certainly seen great value in those changes as they enhanced my understanding