Academy Class Instructors

We require all Class Instructors to be formally qualified through the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation. You can view the qualifications of our Instructor Team here. Please note that some of our instructors are still obtaining the relevant certifications for their roles at our Academy.

In addition to our core team, we also work with several highly experienced local guest instructors who bring diverse martial arts backgrounds and expertise, complementing the training provided by our in-house instructors.

Over a dozen Hapkido Black Belts support our instructor team. While they don’t hold formal coaching positions, they assist the Class Instructors as needed, enriching our students' learning experience.

Rhiannon - 2nd Dan Hapkido

Rhiannon began her formal Hapkido training in 2005 as our first junior student. She later developed the syllabus for our Hapkido Dragons and Tigers classes.

Rhiannon was graded to 1st Dan in Hapkido in 2019 by Master Malcolm Wright (5th Dan) and 2nd Dan in 2024 by Master Andrew Montgomery (5th Dan).

As a Class Instructor, Rhiannon is a Co-Lead Instructor for our Hapkido Dragons and an Instructor for our Hapkido Tigers classes and assists with our regular Hapkido classes. 

In addition to her teaching role, she serves as the Academy Manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Academy to ensure everything runs smoothly. 

Rhiannon attended the World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association's Hapkido World Championships in South Korea in 2015, 2019, and 2024. At the 2019 World Championships, she earned a medal in the Weapons Hyung (Pattern) competition.

In addition to her regular classes, Rhiannon is available for private Hapkido and Self-Defense lessons during weekdays, specifically tailored for women and children. You can book a class with her here.

Rhiannon is a C2 "Club Instructor" with the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation.

Daryl - 4th Dan Hapkido

Daryl began his formal Hapkido training in 1986 under Grandmaster Lee Jung Nam.

He plays an essential role in running the Academy's Hapkido classes and assists with the Hapkido Tigers classes. 

Daryl is our kicking specialist, responsible for coaching students in both stretching techniques and Hapkido kicking methods. 

Daryl earned his 1st Degree Dan Black Belt from the New Zealand Hapkido Federation in 1988 and has since travelled to the World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association World Championships as part of the New Zealand Hapkido teams in 2019 and 2022.

In June 2022, Daryl was graded to 4th Dan Black Belt.

Daryl holds a C1 "Assistant Instructor" certification with the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation.

Jon-Luke - 3rd Dan Hapkido

Jon-Luke began his Hapkido training in 2013 and achieved his 3rd Dan Black Belt in April 2024.

He plays an active role in assisting with our Hapkido classes and has a strong passion for self-defence.

Jon-Luke has also succeeded in several tournaments, including the World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association in South Korea in 2019 and 2024. 

He has earned medals in both Sparring and self-defence competitions.

Jaime - 2nd Dan Hapkido

Jaime began her Hapkido training in 2019. She initially joined as a "Hapkido Mum," watching her son train in the Hapkido Tigers class.

Since then, Jaime has fully committed to the Hapkido journey and the Academy.

She is the co-leader of the Hapkido Hapkido Dragons and an Instructor of the Hapkido Tigers classes. She also assists with our regular Hapkido classes.

Jaime excels at working with new students, helping them build confidence and skills from the ground up. 

In 2024, Jaime competed in the World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association’s Hapkido World Championships in South Korea, where she earned medals in Patterns (Hyungs), Self Defence and Rolling Breakfalls.

She is a C2 "Club Instructor" with the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation.

Paul - 2nd Dan Hapkido

Paul began his Hapkido training in 2016 and runs our popular Tuesday night Hapkido class.

His teaching style makes his class particularly popular with new adult students and teenagers.

In 2024, Paul competed admirably in the World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association’s Hapkido World Championships in South Korea.

Paul is also a C2 "Club Instructor" with the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation.

Tristan - 1st Dan Hapkido

Tristan began his Hapkido training in 2018 and earned his 1st Dan Black Belt in 2022.

He is our Hapkido Ground Combatives Instructor. In September 2024, he graded to Blue Belt in FS BJJ. 

Tristan is known for running relaxed yet structured classes with a strong emphasis on technical detail.

Tristan is a C2 "Club Instructor" with the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation.