Korean taekwondo in Auckland: a guide for families

Taekwondo (태권도) is Korea’s national martial art and an Olympic sport — built on fast, high kicks, discipline, and a clear path of progress that suits children and adults alike. For Korean families in New Zealand it’s also a link to home; for others it’s a well-structured way into fitness and focus. This is a plain-language guide to what to expect, plus how to find a dojang (도장, training hall) in Auckland.

How it works

• The dojang. Classes run in a dojang led by an instructor (sabeom-nim, 사범님). Beginners are welcome — trial classes are common.
• The belt system. Students progress through coloured belts (white → yellow → green → blue → red → black), each earned by a grading test (seungdan/seunggeup simsa).
• What a class covers. Basics (gibon), forms (poomsae), sparring (gyeorugi), and board-breaking (gyeokpa), plus warm-ups and stretching.
• For all ages. Most clubs run separate kids’, teens’, and adults’ classes; some offer family sessions.

Korean-run dojangs in Auckland

Plenty of clubs across Auckland teach taekwondo, but only some are run by Korean masters who trained in Korea. These are the ones we’ve verified:

• ANK Taekwondo Academy (Glenfield, North Shore). Its own hall on Wairau Road, led by Grandmaster Cheongun Jeon: a Yong In University graduate, 8th dan under World Taekwondo, and a Kukkiwon grading judge. ANK stands for Aotearoa and Korea.
• Daehan Taekwondo 대한태권도 (Silverdale, Hibiscus Coast). A full-time gym on East Coast Road named after founder Grand Master Yeom, with both Korean and New Zealand instructors and 500-plus registered members. Takes children from about age four.
• Global Martial Arts (Albany, North Shore). Founded by Master Jung Joo Kim and on the companies register since 2005. Teaches taekwondo alongside Haidong Gumdo (Korean swordsmanship) and Tong Chun Jeolkwondo, which are hard to find anywhere else in New Zealand.

Class times, fees, and grading dates change often, so check each club’s own page before you enrol.

Browse our directory: see every taekwondo & martial arts club we list, plus other Korean services in Auckland. Run a taekwondo club we’ve missed? Submit a listing — it’s free.

Tips for getting started

• Try before you commit. A trial class shows whether the club’s style and schedule fit.
• Ask about the grading path. Belt tests, timing, and any grading fees vary by club.
• Gear. A dobok (uniform) is usually needed after the first few sessions — ask what the club supplies.

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한국어: 태권도는 대한민국의 국기이자 올림픽 종목으로, 어린이부터 성인까지 규칙적으로 배우기 좋은 무술입니다. 도장에서 사범님의 지도 아래 기본·품새·겨루기·격파를 배우며, 흰띠부터 검은띠까지 승급 심사를 통해 단계별로 성장합니다. 오클랜드에는 한국인 관장이 운영하는 도장으로 ANK 태권도(글렌필드), 대한태권도(실버데일), 글로벌 마샬아츠(알바니, 해동검도 병행)가 있습니다. 우리 디렉토리의 태권도·무술 도장과 오클랜드 페이지에서 확인하세요.