Academy Leadership Team

Our Leadership Team is responsible for running classes and fulfilling other key roles to ensure our Academy operates smoothly and effectively. All Class Instructors are formally qualified through the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation.

We are proud to have a group of dedicated Assistant Instructors, including Dan, Phoebe (C1), Sarah, and Cooper (C1), who actively support class delivery and student development under the guidance of our Leadership Team.

In addition, several of our Hapkido Black Belts regularly assist and occasionally teach classes. While they may not hold formal positions, many hold qualifications and use their experience and presence to enrich our training environment greatly.

We also collaborate with several highly experienced local guest instructors, whose diverse martial arts backgrounds and insights complement and extend the knowledge offered by our in-house team. 

 

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.

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. Please get in touch with her for details.

Rhiannon is a C2 "Club Instructor" with the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation and is a committee member for the New Zealand Hapkido Federation (NZHF), where she is the coordinator for New Zealand Dan gradings. 

 

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 graded to her 2nd Dan Black Belt in June 2024.

She is the co-lead Instructor of the Hapkido Dragons and an Instructor of the Hapkido Tigers classes. She also assists with our regular Hapkido classes. Jaime designed the developmental side of our Hapkido Dragons syllabus, where she focuses on building core skills to complement Hapkido.

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.

Jaime is a C2 "Club Instructor" with the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation and is a committee member for the New Zealand Hapkido Federation (NZHF), where she is responsible for the federation's grant applications.

  

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 committee member of the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation (NZJJF), managing their Black Belt registrations. Paul is a C2 "Club Instructor" with the NZJJF.

 

 

 

Daryl - 4th Dan Hapkido

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

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 and is on the Masters Committee for the New Zealand Hapkido Federation (NZHF).

 

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 Hapkido World Championships in South Korea in 2019 and 2024. 

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

  

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Mike - 6th Dan Karate

Shihan Mike has been a student and teacher of the Eastern martial arts for well over 35 years. He started his career in Judo as a junior before switching to Zen Do Kai Karate, earning his 2nd-degree black belt in 1988. In 1990, Mike joined his instructor (Shihan Jeff Veale) in the creation of New Zealand Freestyle Martial Arts. 

Shihan Mike has been an instructor with NZFMA ever since, and in early 2016, he completed his 5th Dan Black Belt grading, the highest Dan grade awarded by New Zealand Freestyle Martial Arts. A 5th Dan Black Belt in this style is the equivalent of a 7th or 8th Dan Black Belt in most other martial art styles.  

 

Jaana - Mobility and Conditioning Instructor

 

Jaana’s journey with Hapkido began in 2015, as a dedicated Hapkido Mum, cheering on her two kids from the sidelines.

But her passion for movement goes back further—she’s been exploring the balance of strength and flexibility since 2011 through a personal practice blending yoga, pilates, and bodyweight training.

As a certified yoga teacher through the Vikasa Academy, Jaana brings a deep understanding of mindful movement to everything she does.

In 2023, she began leading our Hapkido Mobility classes, designed to help students improve range of motion, build functional strength, and support long-term physical health. Her sessions are a unique mix of challenge, flow, and fun.

 

 

Cheyla - 1st Dan Hapkido

 

Cheyla began her Hapkido journey in 2019 and earned her 1st Dan black belt in 2022.

Her passion for the art extends beyond her training - Hapkido is a family affair, with her entire household actively involved.

Cheyla also contributes to the wider Hapkido community as Secretary for the New Zealand Hapkido Federation (NZHF), where she supports the growth and organisation of the art nationwide.

Cheyla is a C1 "Assistant Instructor" with the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation.

 

 

Neil - 1st Dan Hapkido

 

Neil began training in Hapkido in 2019 and achieved his 1st Dan black belt in 2022. Like many others in our Academy, Hapkido is a family thing.

He plays a vital role behind the scenes at the club, managing the tech in the background, including our attendance software that helps keep everything running smoothly.

Neil also serves as Treasurer for the New Zealand Hapkido Federation (NZHF), contributing his skills to support the broader Hapkido community.