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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 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 greatly enrich our training environment.

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.

Callum Forbes - 7th Dan Hapkido

Callum has been training in Hapkido since 1982 and is one of the key figures in the development of Hapkido in New Zealand.

He trained under Grandmaster Jung Nam Lee, receiving all ranks up to 6th Dan Black Belt, and was promoted to 7th Dan Black Belt in July 2018 by Grandmaster In Sun Seo.

As the leader of Upper Hutt Martial Arts Academy, Callum has helped build one of New Zealand’s strongest Hapkido schools while also supporting Hapkido schools nationwide.

In October 2015, he became the first New Zealander invited to lead a team demonstration at the official opening of the World Kido Federation / Hanminjok Hapkido Association Hapkido World Championships in South Korea. Since then, he has regularly led team and individual demonstrations at Federation events in South Korea and San Francisco.

Callum is Chairman of the New Zealand Hapkido Federation (NZHF), serves on its Masters Committee, and is Deputy Director of Coaching and Hapkido Representative for the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation, where he also holds a C4 Expert Instructor certification.

You will find Callum teaching Tigers classes, Monday and Thursday night Hapkido classes, and Saturday Sword classes.

Sean - 4th Dan Hapkido

Sean began his formal Hapkido training in 2009.

He plays a key role in running the Academy's Hapkido classes and is also an experienced international competitor.

Sean is responsible for preparing students for demonstrations and local and international competitions.

Sean regularly travels overseas to enhance his Hapkido skills further. His international training began with attending the World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association's 2014 Hapkido World Summit in San Francisco. He then participated in the 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2024 Hapkido World Championships in Busan. He performed exceptionally in each event, winning medals in Patterns (Hyungs), Self-Defence, and Sparring. He also won the Oceania Cup in 2025.

Sean holds a C2 "Club Instructor" certification with the New Zealand Ju-Jitsu Federation and is on the Masters Committee for the New Zealand Hapkido Federation (NZHF).

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.

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.

Hayden - Martial X

Hayden began training in Hapkido in 2021, furthering a lifelong martial arts journey that started in 1990. With a background in personal training and experience across multiple combat styles, he brings a well-rounded, practical approach to his teaching.

He has competed in several Hapkido tournaments, winning the Oceania Cup in 2023, and competed in the 2024 World Kido Federation/Hanminjok Hapkido Association's Hapkido World Championships in South Korea, as well as Kyokushin and Muay Thai competitions.

Hayden's Martial X class focuses on developing efficient movement, strong body mechanics, and practical application. His goal is to help people move better, build confidence, and apply their skills, whether for martial arts, sports, general fitness, or simply to counter the effects of everyday life. Martial X is not a style, but a method for adding eXtra skills to an individual's training.

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 2024, he completed his 6th Dan Black Belt grading, the highest Dan grade awarded by New Zealand Freestyle Martial Arts. A 6th Dan Black Belt in this style is the equivalent of an 8th Dan or 9th Dan Black Belt in most other martial art styles.

Shihan Mike has also studied a number of other arts, earning formal qualifications in Taekwondo in the USA (1st-degree black belt) and in Goju-Ryu Karate (brown belt). He has also studied a number of weapon arts over the years and is proficient in jo, katana, and escrima.

Shihan Mike runs our Advanced Sword class alongside Callum.

Craig - Sword Instructor

Craig's martial arts journey began in his youth with Go Kan Ryu Karate, where he achieved a blue belt.

In 2011, he shifted his focus to Olympic-style fencing, training and competing across all three weapons while specialising in Sabre.

In 2022, Craig joined The Order of the Boar to study Historical European Martial Arts, furthering his passion for weapons-based disciplines.

Outside his own training, Craig is a proud Hapkido and sword dad, actively coaching, supporting and cheering on his daughter in her martial arts pursuits.

Craig runs our Beginners' Sword class on Saturday mornings.

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.

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.

Upper Hutt Martial Arts Academy