The Dragons Spirit Taekwon-Do Club is an official branch of International Taekwon-Do.

For more information on International Taekwon-Do please the national website: www.itkd.co.nz.

Our Dojang is located in the Papatoetoe High School Gymnasium, Carlie St., Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand.

We have been a part of the Papatoetoe Community for over twenty years. The club was started under Mr. Sam Clark back in 1983, his teachings and enthusiasm continue to inspire many of the people still training with us today. On Mr. Clark's retirement from Taekwon-Do, he passed on the reins to Mr. Kane Raukura and Mr. Steve Seigel after a small period of transition.

Mr. Raukura became the Head Instructor in 1997 and continues to run the club to this day. The assistance of an excellent team of Black Belts contributes to the smooth running of the Dojang and this has enabled the club to grow to its present size of over 70 registered members.

At Dragons Spirit Taekwon-Do we pride ourselves on abiding by the five tenets of Taekwon-Do:

Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit

It is through these tenets that the club has grown to be an environment of high expectation, achievement and motivation. This has translated into many successes over the years by the club and its members.

So why Dragons Spirit?

Powerful, Strong, Wise, Fierce, Proud, Patient, Dynamic, Enthusiastic

All these aspects are embodied within the Dragon. Whether mythological or not, what better things to strive for in relation to growing and improving in Taekwon-Do. At the Dragons Spirit Club we aim to embody these aspects in our training and we believe that they strongly reinforce the five tenets previously mentioned. The Dragon is our symbol and its Spirit is our creed.

Taekwon-Do enables our members to gain inner discipline, to create fit bodies and to establish respectful relationships with those around them. All students proudly display our Dragons Spirit Badge on their right dobok shoulder.

As a member club of the larger Counties Manukau Region of International Taekwon-Do, we pride ourselves on our participation in local, national and international events. All students are encouraged to get involved and enjoy the varying aspects that training in Taekwon-Do offers.

Taekwon-Do is the Korean art of self defence and the world’s most popular martial art.

It was first developed by a Korean Army General, Gen. Choi Hong Hi, in the 1950s and 1960s. “Tae” means to jump or kick with the foot; “Kwon” means to punch with the hand or fist; and “Do” means art or way.

Taekwon-Do is also an exciting sport with many spectacular events such as sparring, patterns, power breaking and the high flying special techniques competition. But it is also a martial art suitable for all ages and abilities. Classes are run for everyone from beginning to advanced levels, including special classes for children.

Taekwon-Do was designed for self defence, and there is a strong emphasis on the moral aspects of the art, such as discipline, humility and self control. These non-physical aspects are known as the “Do”. Members of International Taekwon-Do are taught aspects of “Do” as a part of the grading syllabus and are encouraged to live by the tenets of Taekwon-Do, which are: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control and Indomitable Spirit.

Taekwon-Do has emerged as an international martial art in a relatively short period of time, only being named in 1955 by General Choi Hong Hi.

In January of 1946, General Choi was a company commander in the Korean army and began to teach Karate to his soldiers as a means of physical and mental training. It was then that he realised that he needed to develop a Korean martial art, and with this in mind that he began to develop new techniques. In 1952, at the height of the Korean War, there was a martial arts exhibition where Choi Hong Hi’s senior student Mr Nam Tae Hi smashed 13 roof tiles with a punch. Following this demonstration, South Korean President Syngman Rhee instructed General Choi to officially introduce the martial arts to the Korean army.

Since early 1970s Taekwon-Do suffered from political interference and has been split into two main organisations or styles, called the International Taekwon-Do Fedeartion (ITF) and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

In New Zealand we are affiliated to the ITF, which was formed by General Choi Hong Hi in 1966.

Taekwon-Do has emerged as an international martial art in a relatively short period of time, only being named in 1955 by General Choi Hong Hi.

In January of 1946, General Choi was a company commander in the Korean army and began to teach Karate to his soldiers as a means of physical and mental training. It was then that he realised that he needed to develop a Korean martial art, and with this in mind that he began to develop new techniques. In 1952, at the height of the Korean War, there was a martial arts exhibition where Choi Hong Hi’s senior student Mr Nam Tae Hi smashed 13 roof tiles with a punch. Following this demonstration, South Korean President Syngman Rhee instructed General Choi to officially introduce the martial arts to the Korean army.

Since early 1970s Taekwon-Do suffered from political interference and has been split into two main organisations or styles, called the International Taekwon-Do Fedeartion (ITF) and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

In New Zealand we are affiliated to the ITF, which was formed by General Choi Hong Hi in 1966.

The philosophy of Taekwon-Do can be summed up by the last two phrases in the ITF Student Oath:

I shall be a champion of justice and freedom.

I shall build a better and peaceful world.

By practicing Taekwon-Do and living according to its fundamental values, we will become good citizens and be able to create a better world.

The development of the Taekwon-Do philosophy by our Founder General Choi Hong Hi was influenced by oriental philosophers such as Confucius and Lao Tzu, by Buddhism, and by the philosophy of martial arts. However, the fundamental values as expressed in the tenets of Taekwon-Do, are universal. In the Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do, General Choi showed us how to find a harmonious balance between the physical and the mental.