North Harbour Dojo was established in 1982 by Shihan Stephen Takiwa. The dojo includes a jigsaw matted training area for safety, complete with mirrors for self-improvement. It also has changing facilities, a shower & sauna. North Harbour Dojo draws on the talent and extensive experience of its blackbelts to offer challenging and varied instruction for all their students. There are classes to suit every level of fitness and ability so that all participants can benefit from the principals of Kyokushin.

Training Schedule - New CLASSES & TIMETABLE started on 1 August 2011

*Black Belt ONLY class on the first SUNDAY of every month

**Combined training on the first THURSDAY of every 2nd month, host dojo rotates between North Harbour, West Auckland and Waitoki - Instructor will notify where and when

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Class Description

ABC 4 KARATE Classes (Absolute Beginners Course)
These classes are for our absolute beginners (on Mondays) which is a class just for them, the course runs for 10 weeks (with the school terms), max. stay is 2 terms but then MUST progress into their age group class

ABC Pre-Karate (children 5-7yrs) Mondays ONLY
This is our new tiny tot class, suitable for absolute beginners. This is a fun 45min class that incorporates games, traditional karate and discipline. This class eases children into a structured format and introducing them to a martial art in a supportive friendly environment.

ABC 4 Junior Kiwis (8-12yrs)
This class is designed to give the middle age group a chance to learn together on Mondays at a rate that suits them and then combined with the more advanced (graded) students on Thursday to follow and learn

Young Warriors (Graded children 13-17yrs)
A class for older kids (from that ‘challenging’ age group) that need their own space to learn & work together. Stepping up a level, this class will encourage students to set and obtain personal realistic goals while having fun and learning all about respect of others.  They then combine on Thursdays to interact with all age groups

Advanced Junior Kiwis (Graded 8-12yrs)
This class is for our more advanced (graded) children, once they have progressed from the ABC classes they will enjoy a more challenging atmosphere with peers in their own age group

Kiwi Warrior Combo (8-17yrs)
This is a combination class for ALL Junior Kiwis and Young Warriors

Leadership Crew (Green belts & above 8-17yrs)
Coming through the grades there is a natural progression to teach other students, this class focuses on breaking things down & learning the ‘how & why’ so they can pass it on. During this journey they will pick up excellent leadership skills which will help them in all aspects of life

ABC 4 Young Fighters (8-17yrs)
Our juniors can come along and learn fighting techniques and practice with their peers in a controlled environment with Shihan Takiwa encorporating fitness and fun

Kata Extreme (Green belts & above 8-17yrs)
At a higher level kids need a challenge to focus and perfect techniques, this is the class for them!

Traditional Focus (18+yrs, unless invited by Shihan)
This is the traditional adult class, all students train together and if necessary will split off into separate groups. The class lasts 1.5hrs and covers all aspects of Kyokushin karate

Fighting Fit
This class is for anyone and everyone, it covers stamina, fitness, technique drills and conditioning while keeping it safe and fun

Grading Revision
This class covers the grading syllabus and is a great add-on for anyone who wants to get in extra training.

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Dojo Operators

Shihan Stephen Takiwa, 6th Dan
DOJO HEAD

Shihan Stephen started his Kyokushin Karate training at the Hastings YMCA in 1978, at the age of 16. He trained under the guidance of Sensei Solly Purcell who developed his skills over the following four years. Then at the age of 20 in 1982 he made the move to Auckland. He established his first dojo, under the name of The ‘North Shore Kyokushin Karate Club’ at the Beach Haven Ratepayers Hall. Then moved the dojo to Birkenhead running 7 days under the new name of ‘North Harbour Kyokushin Karate Club’. The club has been running successfully since then. In 2001 he took on a second dojo, this is situated in Avondale, called 'West Auckland Kyokushin'. Their head Instructor Sensei Garry Clarke re-located to Rawene setting up Hokianga Kyokushin in the far North. He has since handed this dojo over to Sempai Anna Coddington and Sempai Shingo Tamura. Shihan Takiwa is still the highest ranked Kyokushin fighter on the World stage from New Zealand and is now passing his knowledge onto his students.

Karate history:

• 1983, 84, 85, 87, 88, 89, 95 New Zealand Heavy Weight Champion
• 1985, 87, 89 Trans Tasman Heavy Weight Champion
• 1990 Australian Middle Weight Champion
• 1991 South Island and NZ Middle Weight Champion
• 1983 NZ Representative, at the 3rd World Tournament in Tokyo, Japan
• 1987 NZ Representative, at the 4th World Tournament in Tokyo, Japan
• 1991 NZ Representative, Placed 12th at the 5th World Tournament in Tokyo, Japan
• 1995 NZ Representative at the 6th World Tournament in Tokyo, Japan
• 1988 Received the award for Most Spirited Fighter at the Common Wealth Champs held in Sydney, Australia
• 1989 Awarded the Strongest Technique Trophy at the All Japan Tournament in Tokyo, also making the top 32 fighters
• 1998 Coach for the NZ Womens Team at the 2nd Womens World Tournament in Tokyo, Japan
• 1999 Coach for the NZ Mens Team at the 7th World Tournament held in Japan
• 2000 Appointed New Zealand Branch Chief (representative to Honbu Japan)
• 2000 Took over the New Zealand branch of IKO1 dojo (8 founding dojo)
• 2001 Over 35 Men Open N.Z National Champion

Sensei Diane Takiwa, 4th Dan

Sensei Diane, the co-dojo operator of the North Harbour Kyokushin Karate club, has been praticing Kyokushin Karate since 1982. She has been teaching since 1984. When she and Shihan Takiwa moved their young family north (back to her home town Auckland) in '82 she was one of the first students of the new club (back then) on the North Shore, Auckland. Many students have come and gone over the years but she still loves and enjoys the commeradary of Kyokushin Karate. In the years she has been training she has competed and placed in:

• NZ Highland Games (Kumite - fighting) Champion 3 years
• 1985 Obtained 1st Dan
• 1998 2nd Place at Australian Nationals
• 1998 Represented NZ at the Women's World Championships in Japan, placing 5th equal in Women’s Middle Weight Div in kumite
• 2001 Represented NZ at the Women's World Championships in Japan, competing in kumite & kata, reaching top 8 in kumite
• 2001 Attended International Camp in Kyoto, Japan
• 2002 Obtained 2nd Dan
• 2003 Represented NZ at the Women's World Championshipsin New York, competing in kata
• 2003 NZ Kata champion
• 2004 Runner up in Kata Div. at Trans Tasman Masters, Auckland
• 2003, 2005 & 2006 Facilitator of 2 Women's camps in Taupo
• Continues to participate and/or facilitate at NZ camps
• 2005 & 2006 Ran self-defense classes at Zayed College for girls
• 2006 NZ Kata champion
• 2006 Obtained 3rd Dan
• 2011 NZ Kata champion
• 2011 Obtained 4th Dan

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