Spirit Taekwon-Do Newlands
Spirit Taekwon-Do Newlands
Taekwon-Do, fitness and self-defence for kids and adults in Newlands, Wellington
Why train in Newlands
Every Wednesday and Friday night, Newlands Centennial Hall on Newlands Road becomes our dojang. The younger students in their first few belts get the floor to themselves at 6:00pm. At 7:00pm the rest of the club lines up together: teenagers, parents, adults who started a month ago and black belts who have trained with us for years.
Training in a mixed class means a new student always has someone a belt or two ahead to learn from. Parents can train in the same room as their older children, each working at their own level, and the people beside you on the floor become familiar faces fast.
Your first night is simple. We say hello, show you where to put your shoes and walk you through how class runs. An experienced student stays beside you through the warm-up and your first stances, blocks and kicks, so you always know what comes next. You can start in your own gear; a uniform can wait until you get closer to your first grading.
Class times
Newlands trains twice a week, with an early class for our youngest students and a later class for everyone else.
| Days | Class | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday and Friday | White, Yellow and Green belts aged 8 to 10 | 6:00pm to 7:00pm |
| Wednesday and Friday | Everyone else: older children, teens and adults, all belts | 7:00pm to 8:30pm |
Children aged 8 to 10 who have moved past Green belt, and every student aged 11 and over, train in the 7:00pm class.
Where we train
Newlands Centennial Hall
212 Newlands Road, Newlands, Wellington 6037
Both classes, both nights, in the same hall.
Your instructors
Brett Kraiger
6th degree black belt
Brett opened the original Spirit Taekwon-Do school in Brooklyn in 1995 and runs the Newlands club today. He has a particular interest in the technical side of Taekwon-Do, from patterns to the theory of how movement works, and he cares just as much about the skills training builds for everyday life.
Phone Brett on 027 333 4240.
Madison Cook
2nd degree black belt, kids class instructor
Madi teaches the 6:00pm kids class, and started training at Spirit Newlands herself at age 10.
Who it's for
Kids
Children from age 8 start in the 6:00pm class with others their own age and stage. Alongside stances, blocks and kicks, they learn the habits of a good class: lining up, bowing, listening and waiting their turn. Parents watch from the side, so you see exactly what your child is learning.
Adult beginners
Most people who walk through our doors are starting from scratch. You learn the basics first, at your own pace, with a black belt close by, and your fitness and flexibility build as you train.
Families and returning students
Parents and older children can train side by side in the 7:00pm class, and family discounts apply when more than one of you joins. If you trained with us years ago and drifted away, you are welcome back on the mat.
What our students say
“My 13 year-old son started Spirit Taekwon-Do Newlands when he was 12. He loves going to every class, even when the weather is freezing for stepping outside at 7pm. A special thanks to the teachers who taught him really well. He was so excited to receive his double-pass on his very first grading test. I highly recommend this school for anyone looking to build confidence and learn this art.”
Ambika Sharma (Parent)Try your first four classes free
Your first four classes are completely free, with no obligation to join. Get in touch, tell us who is coming, and we will help you pick the right class and look out for you on your first night.
Get my free classesCloser to the city? Our sister club, Spirit Taekwon-Do Kelburn, trains three nights a week in Kelburn and Northland. See Kelburn times and venues