Dear NZKF members As NZ approaches a step down to Alert Level 3 on Monday 27 April, what does this mean for keiko and kendo gatherings? In a nutshell: NO DIFFERENT FROM ALERT LEVEL 4 In the government guidelines below, gatherings are still prohibited, movement is still restricted to essential movement only and if people can stay home then they should. Low risk local recreation does not mean opening the dojo for practice as usual. Alert Level 3 Stay home other than for essential personal movement Physical distancing of two metres outside home (including on public transport), or one metre in controlled environments like schools and workplaces. Immediate household bubble can expand to reconnect with close whānau, bring in caregivers or support isolated people. Schools (years 1 to 10) and early childhood education centres can safely open, but will have limited capacity. Children should learn at home if possible. People must work from home unless that is not possible. Businesses can open premises, but cannot physically interact with customers. Low risk local recreation activities are allowed. Public venues are closed (e.g. libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, playgrounds, markets). Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed but only for wedding services, funerals Read More …

(The following statement was issued by the All Japan Kendo Federation. Please ensure your kendo practice is in line with the New Zealand government guidelines and Covid-19 alert level https://covid19.govt.nz) The number of COVID-19 infections is increasing rapidly worldwide, and Japan is no exception. There could be an explosive increase in the number of cases and even the collapse of the medical care system. The disease has been shown to spread rapidly by forming clusters around the infected person. Therefore, it is important for kendo practitioners to prevent the occurrence of such infection clusters as well as to prevent infection of themselves. The following is a request from the All Japan Kendo Federation to prevent the spread of an outbreak of COVID-19 infections. Especially in the prefectures where there are more than 10 people infected at the moment, please be sure to follow the instructions below. Please keep in mind, however, that circumstances are extremely fluid, and hence, these instructions are subject to change, depending on the circumstances. 1. Please stop the interpersonal practice (taijin-teki-keiko) for the time being. The Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare have already indicated that the Read More …

Waikato Kendo Club is proud to announce the Ishida Kenichi Sensi seminar and the Waikato Club 20th Anniversary. 19th-21st April 2019, Hamilton For any questions or assistance, please contact Marleen Charng on marleen.charng@gmail.com.

The New Zealand Novice Championships, hosted by the Waikato Kendo Club, is an annual event aimed at enhancing Kendo experiences for junior Kendo practitioners. This tournament has also provided shinpan opportunity for senior Kendo practitioners, Yon-dan (4th Dan) and above, with support of the New Zealand Kendo Federation (NZKF). Date: 10th-11 November 2018. Go to https://www.facebook.com/kendonovice/ for more information. Please talk to your dojo leader if you are interested in attending.

Great showing for the New Zealand team at the 17th Kendo World Championships in Korea! Both the men’s and women’s teams finished in the top 16 in their respective competitions. The women’s team beat Agentina to go on to fight the Netherlands. The match with the Netherlands was close, with equal points after five fights so ended up in daihyosen. The deciding point was won by the Netherlands ending the NZ women’s campaign but it was still a great result for New Zealand. The men’s team had a tough draw being in the only pool that had 4 teams in it, all other pools consisted of 3 teams. The NZ men beat Latvia and Romania but lost to Japan. Only one team advances (Japan) but this still means the NZ men’s team finished in the top 16. Well done team!

The 19th Rembuden Taikai is taking place on the 6th-7th October 2018 in Wellington. The deadline for entry is 7th September. Please contact your dojo leaders if you are interested in entering or if you are outside of New Zealand you can contact Rembuden Kendo Club directly. http://www.rembudenkendo.co.nz

We are conducting a survey of NZKF members. Please click on the link below and complete the survey. It will take 5-10 minutes to complete. Your feedback is important to us. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CMY7LCF The survey will close on the 31st August 2018.

The official website for the World Kendo Championship being held in South Korea this September is up and going – check out the 17th World Kendo Championships @ http://17wkc.kr

• 11th–12th August — NZKF National Championship, Invercargill. • 6th–7th October — Rembuden Taikai, Wellington • 2nd–4th November — Canterbury Kendo Club 30th Anniversary and South Island Kendo Championship, Christchurch