NZ ITF Taekwon-Do
International Taekwon-Do Federation NZ ITF International Inclusive Taekwon-Do Association Inclusive Taekwon-Do New Zealand
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115 King Street South, Hastings

ORIGINAL ITF TAEKWON-DO

Safe, structured and inclusive classes for all ages - from preschool to adults. No experience required.

Enrol now Timetable
Mon · today 9am - 7pm
Tue · today 9am - 7pm
Wed · today 9am - 6pm
Thu · today 12:30pm - 7:30pm
Fri · today Closed
Sat · today 9:30am - 1pm
Sun · today Closed
Full-time training centre · 115 King Street South, Hastings Free community gym on site — inclusivefitness.nz ↗
01Start here Enrol All ages, from preschool to adults. No experience needed — your first class can be this week. Get started ↗
02Free for everyone Training Hub Your grade, your pattern, your test — with the Pattern Timer, spoken Coach Mode and theory quizzes.
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03 TimetableClass days and times ↗ 04 Our ClassesLittle Kickers to adults ↗ 05 InclusiveTaekwon-Do for every ability ↗ 06 About UsOur story and instructors ↗ 07 Pay OnlineFees by card, sorted in a minute ↗ 08 FAQsQuick answers before you start ↗

Not sure where to begin?

Start your
Taekwon-Do journey

Pick what you'd like to do — find the right path for you or your child, walk the road to black belt, test yourself with a quick quiz, or get answers to the questions every new student asks.

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Who will be training?

What brings you to Taekwon-Do?

Choose as many as you like.

Have you trained before?

Beginners are welcome — most of our students started with no experience at all.

What are you most unsure about?

🥋 Your NZ ITF journey

Your journey

    Every journey starts with a first step.

    From white belt to black belt

    Tap each belt to see what it stands for. Every colour is a stage of growth, and a black belt is never awarded for attendance — it represents knowledge, ability, commitment, effort and personal development, earned grading by grading.

    White belt · 10th & 9th Gup

    Innocence — a beginner with no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do. You learn to stand, move, block and strike, and your first pattern, Chon-Ji, meaning Heaven and Earth.

    Yellow belt · 8th & 7th Gup

    The earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root. The foundations of Taekwon-Do are laid: stances become strong and techniques start to gain power and accuracy.

    Green belt · 6th & 5th Gup

    The plant's growth as Taekwon-Do skill begins to develop. Kicks, sparring and self-defence step up, and patterns become longer and more demanding.

    Blue belt · 4th & 3rd Gup

    The heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree. Students now train with real technical depth, and begin to help lead and mentor others.

    Red belt · 2nd & 1st Gup

    Danger — a warning to the opponent to stay away, and a reminder to the student to exercise control. The final preparation for black belt.

    Black belt · 1st Dan and beyond

    The opposite of white: maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do. It is not the end but a new beginning — nine degrees of continual improvement lie ahead.

    Most students grade every term or two in the early belts and take longer at senior grades. A first black belt typically represents around four to five years of consistent training — and it is a journey of continual improvement, not a destination.

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    Common new student questions

    Do I need to be fit before I start?
    No. You do not need to get fit before joining Taekwon-Do. Training builds your fitness, strength, coordination and confidence gradually, at a level that is right for you. Everyone works at their own pace.
    Can I join with no experience?
    Yes — most of our students had never done a martial art before their first class. Everything is taught from the very beginning, and beginners of all ages train alongside people at the same stage.
    What should I wear to my first class?
    Comfortable sports clothes — a t-shirt and track pants or shorts — and bare feet on the mats. Once you enrol you will get a Taekwon-Do uniform (dobok) and white belt; there is no need to buy anything before you try a class.
    Is Taekwon-Do suitable for shy children?
    Very much so. Classes are structured and predictable, praise is specific and genuine, and confidence grows one small success at a time. Many of our most confident senior students started as the shy child at the back of the class.
    How long does it take to progress?
    Students usually grade every term or two in the early belts, and take longer at senior grades. A first black belt typically represents around four to five years of consistent training. Progression is earned through knowledge, ability and effort — never just attendance.
    Do I need to compete?
    No. Competition is optional. Some students love tournaments and go on to represent New Zealand; many others train purely for fitness, confidence and self-defence and never compete. Both paths are fully supported.
    Can adults start Taekwon-Do?
    Absolutely. Adults of every age and fitness level start with us, including parents who join after watching their children train. Adult beginner classes take you from the very first stance to black belt at your own pace.
    What age can children start?
    Our Pre-School Taekwon-Do sessions start from age 2, with beginner and advanced groups for ages 4 to 8. Children then move into the grade-based classes, where they train with others of a similar age and belt.

    All questions →

    This is who you'd be training with

    A Hastings club on the world stage

    New Zealand won medals at the Taekwon-Do World Cup, and TVNZ Breakfast wanted to know how. Press play to meet NZ ITF President Ben Evans and see the standard your first class connects you to — whatever your age or starting point.

    Start your first class →