Lower Hutt

Whanake Rangataua Martial Arts was established over 40 years ago by founding members here in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Its history however goes further back to its origins in Japan and is based on the karate style of Shotokan (Kenkojuku), incorporating basic yet highly effective blocks, kicks and strikes. "Shotokan" karate is a discipline of tradition... al Japanese karate developed from various disciplines of Okinawan karate for the purpose of making karate accessible to anybody and everybody. The "Kenkojuku" style of Shotokan karate preserves some of the more traditional self-defense aspects of karate in kata (forms). Te Rangi Winitana Sensei has practiced karate since 1977, initially training under Charles Mareikura Sensei, Vern Winitana Sensei and Martin Stirling Sensei. She successfully competed in numerous national and international karate championships in Australia, USA and Europe and trained in weaponry and self defense. In what was once a male domineering sport Winitana Sensei was the first female to achieve Shodan in Whanake Rangataua Karate. Some time later, grading to San Dan in New York under the legendary Frederick J. Hamilton Sensei. Winitana Sensei also trained and competed with high ranking Toyotaro Miyazaki Sensei and his shotokan students in Flushing, New York, also visiting the Whanake Rangataua branch under Hamilton Sensei, in the Bronx. She competed in the European Karate Championships in Prague Czech Republic where out of approx. 30 countries Whanake Rangataua came 4th. A great achievement for WRK. Winitana Sensei eventually retired from all competitions. She graded to Yon Dan under Vern Winitana Sensei and continues to teach karate in the Wellington region, N.Z, to this day. © Whanake Rangataua Martial Arts (Inc), 2018, Lower Hutt. All rights reserved.Read More