NZKF
16th National Kendo Championship 2026
9th - 12tH July 2026
Information Pack
Last updated date: 04/04/2026
On behalf of Yōshinkan Kendo Club, with the support of the NZKF, it is a great honour to invite you to Wellington for the 16th New Zealand National Kendo Championships. This upcoming tournament is not merely a competition, but a historic milestone for our community as 2026 also marks the 50th anniversary of the New Zealand Kendo Federation.
This year's event will take place over the Matariki long weekend, and showcase the skill and fighting spirit of kenshi from across Aotearoa. The Championships will include a Shimpan Seminar, two days of competition, a special 50th Anniversary dinner, and NZ Wolf Pack Squad Training, from Thursday 9th July through Sunday 12th July 2026.
All competition events will be held at St Patrick's College, Kilbirnie, Wellington. The Friday evening dinner will take place at the James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel, Wellington.
This information pack contains everything you need to know to plan your participation. We look forward to welcoming you to Wellington.
For enquiries, please contact us at nznationals@yoshinkankendo.nz
Photography credit: Joe Vuataki, Darius Elphick
Table of Contents
1. Key Information
When:
Tournament: 10th and 11th July
Additional events on the 9th and the 12th. See schedule for further details.
Competition Venue:
St Patricks College, 581 Evans Bay Parade, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6022
Friday Evening Meal Venue:
James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel, 147 The Terrace, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011
Entry Fee:
$110
Entry Deadline:
Monday 1st June 2026
Contact:
Registration:
A registration form is available for download here. Please submit one registration form per dojo ahead of the registration deadline to nznationals@yoshinkankendo.nz.
Payment:
An invoice will be issued to your club shortly after the registration deadline, and payment will be made via bank transfer.
Eligibility:
All competitors must be registered members of the NZKF with an up to date membership in Hello Club, aged 16 or over, and must be New Zealand citizens or legal residents. Please refer to the Eligibility section of this pack for full details.
2. Eligibility
To compete in the 2026 NZ National Kendo Championships, all competitors must meet the following criteria:
Be a registered member of the NZKF, with an up to date membership in Hello Club
Be a New Zealand citizen or legal resident (including those holding a Residence visa. Student and working holiday visas are not eligible).
Be aged 16 years or over on the date of the Championship. A two-month grace period applies for those turning 16 within two months of 10 July 2026
It is the responsibility of both the competitor and their dojo leader to ensure membership is current and eligibility criteria are met prior to registration. Failure to do so may result in removal from the draw or disqualification.
For matters relating to gender inclusion, disability accommodations, or other special eligibility considerations, please contact us at nznationals@yoshinkankendo.nz during registration.
3. Events
Individual Events
Women’s Individual
Open to all eligible female competitors
Each club may enter up to 7 competitors
Men’s Individual
Open to all eligible male competitors
Each club may enter up to 7 competitors
Veterans Enbu
Open to eligible male and female competitors, aged 50 and above who hold a grade of 5th Dan or above
Team Events
Team Kata
Open to all eligible male and female competitors
Each club may enter one kata team of two competitors
Each pair must be prepared to perform all seven Tachi-ai and three Kodachi kata in accordance with AJKF Nihon Kendo Kata guidelines. The required kata in each round will be determined and shared prior to the event.
Women’s Team
Open to all eligible female competitors
Each club may enter one women's team, with up to five members registered
Three members compete per match, selected from the registered squad (minimum two)
The team order may be changed between matches
Men’s Team
Open to all eligible male competitors
Each club may enter one men's team, with up to seven members registered
Five members compete per match, selected from the registered squad (minimum three)
The team order may be changed between matches
4. Schedule
Please note that times are approximate and subject to change based on registration numbers and the progress of competition on the day.
Appropriate warmup time will be provided ahead of each event.
Thursday 9th July
On Thursday evening all attendees are invited to a Shimpan seminar. This will be an excellent opportunity for those Yondan and above to hone their refereeing skills, and for all others to warm up their shiai for the tournament.
5:30pm: Doors Open
6:00pm: Seminar Begins
9:00pm: Seminar Closes
Friday 10th July
Day 1 of the nationals tournament, including opening ceremony and individuals events, followed by a celebration of the NZKF’s 50th Anniversary in the evening.
7:30am: Doors open, registration and shinai check
8:30am: Opening Ceremony and Budo Demonstration
9:30am - 12:30pm: Women’s Individual Shiai
12:30pm: Lunches delivered and distributed*
1:00pm - 4:00pm: Men’s Individual Shiai
4:00pm - 5:00pm: Veteran’s Shiai**
5:00pm: Day 1 Finish
6:30pm: 50th Anniversary Dinner
* Please note we may have to forgo a dedicated lunchtime, in order to make best use of the time which is available.
** Veteran’s shiai may move to Saturday morning depending on progress on the day.
Saturday 11th July
Day 2 of the nationals tournament, including kata and team events. Team event formats (pool or direct knockout) will be confirmed closer to the time based on final entries.
7:30am: Doors open
8:00am: Team Kata
9:30am - 12:30pm: Women’s Team Shiai
12:30pm: Lunches delivered and distributed*
1:00pm - 4:30pm: Men’s Team Shiai
4:30pm: Medal Ceremony and Closing Ceremony
5:00pm: Goodwill keiko
6:00pm: Gym closes
* Please note we may have to forgo a dedicated lunchtime, in order to make best use of the time which is available.
Sunday 12TH July
Squad training for members of the NZ Wolves.
8:30am: Doors open
9:00am: Squad Training Kickoff
12:00pm: Squad Training Finishes
5. Meals and Social Events
Lunches
Lunch will be available to order on either or both days of the event, provided by TJ Katsu (Manners Street, Wellington). All options are served as a donburi bowl with rice, small salad, and seaweed salad.
Lunch options ($15.90 per person):
Chicken Katsu
Teriyaki Chicken
Spicy Chicken
Tofu Donburi
Sashimi Donburi
Lunch orders must be placed at the time of registration. Please indicate your choice for each day you wish to order. Lunches will be distributed at the venue at approximately 12:30.
Competitors and supporters who prefer to organise their own lunch are welcome to do so. There are a number of cafes, restaurants, and supermarkets within easy reach of St Patrick's College in Kilbirnie.
50th Anniversary Dinner
All participants, supporters, and guests are invited to join a special dinner marking the 50th Anniversary of the New Zealand Kendo Federation. We are honoured to announce that His Excellency the Japanese Ambassador to New Zealand will be in attendance for this occasion.
This special evening will include formalities acknowledging half a century of budo in New Zealand. It is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, reflect on the history of budo in Aotearoa, and celebrate the people who have contributed to its growth.
Please indicate your attendance on the registration form.
Venue:
James Cook Grand Chancellor, 147 The Terrace, Wellington
Located in Chancellor 1, Level 16
Price:
Adult: $50
Child (14 and under): $40
Time:
Doors open from 6 pm. Food available from 6:30 pm
Expected end time approx. 9:00pm / 9:30pm
Format:
Two course buffet dinner accompanied by speeches and cake
A cash bar will be available with house wines, beers and soft drinks
Dress Code:
Semi-formal attire is requested to mark this occasion
6. Registration and Payments
Registration:
A registration form is available for download here. Please submit one registration form per dojo to nznationals@yoshinkankendo.nz by the 1st July, 2026.
Payment:
An invoice will be issued to your club shortly after the registration deadline, and payment will be made via bank transfer. We request a single payment be made by your club on behalf of all members.
For any questions or concerns, please contact nznationals@yoshinkankendo.nz.
7. Venue Information
Competition Venue:
St Patricks College, 581 Evans Bay Parade, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6022
Arriving by Bus
Several Metlink bus routes service the Kilbirnie area, making the college easily accessible from the CBD and eastern suburbs.
Bayview Terrace or Onepu Road: A 5–8 minute walk from the college (Routes 2, 3, and AX). Easy access to and from CBD.
St Patrick's College - Evans Bay Parade: Located directly outside the school gates (Routes 14, 24).
Walking to the Gym:
Enter through the Main Gates on Evans Bay Parade.
Follow the main driveway toward the heart of the campus.
The Gymnasium is located within the main quadrangle. Look for tournament signage around the campus
Arriving by Car & Parking
Parking on campus is limited, especially during weekend events. Please plan to arrive early to secure a space.
On-Campus Parking: Limited visitor parking is available via the Main Entrance at 581 Evans Bay Parade.
Follow the driveway to the designated parking bays
Off-Campus Parking:
Kilbirnie Park: Significant free street parking is available along the perimeter of Kilbirnie Park (Evans Bay Parade and Kilbirnie Crescent).
Regional Aquatic Centre: There is a large public car park at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre nearby, just a 2-minute walk from the school's side entrance.
Finding the Gym from Parking: If parked on Evans Bay Parade, enter via the main school gates.
If parked near Kilbirnie Park, use the pedestrian access ways toward the rear of the school buildings. The gymnasium is one of the larger structures visible from the sports field side.
Friday Evening Meal Venue:
James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel, 147 The Terrace, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011
Located in Chancellor 1, Level 16
Arriving by Bus
The hotel is highly accessible via from Lambton Quay.
From Wellington Station: Take any bus heading south (e.g., Routes 1, 2, 3, AX). Exit at Lambton Central - Stop B.
From the Airport: Take the Airport Express (AX) and exit at Lambton Central - Stop B.
Walking to the Venue:
Locate the James Cook Arcade (294 Lambton Quay).
Walk through the arcade to the elevators located at the rear.
Take the elevator to Level 9 for the Main Lobby and Reception, and from there proceed to Level 16 and the Chancellor 1 Room
Arriving by Car & Parking
Main Entrance (The Terrace): From SH1 (heading south), take The Terrace off-ramp. The hotel forecourt and entrance are situated immediately at the end of this exit.
On-Site Parking:
The hotel offers covered valet and self-parking (vehicle height limit 2.2m).
Pull into the main forecourt off The Terrace to speak with the concierge regarding current daily rates and space availability.
Off-Site Parking (Wilson Parking):
Public parking is available in the adjacent James Cook Hotel Car Park (entry via 147 The Terrace).
Alternatively, the Plimmer Towers Car Park (entry via Gilmer Terrace) is a short 3-minute walk away.
Finding the Venue from Parking:
If using the hotel car park, elevators will take you directly into the hotel lobby levels.
8. Accommodation Recommendations
James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel
James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel, 147 The Terrace, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011
The James Cook Grand Chancellor is offering special rates to attendees of the tournament who book using this promotional link: https://reservations.travelclick.com/10799?groupID=5220168
Room Type and Rates:
Terrace Room
$189 per night per room (Breakfast Included in Rate for 1 person)
$219 per night per room (Breakfast Included in Rate for 2 people)
Executive Room
$239 per night per room (Breakfast Included in Rate for 1 person)
$269 per night per room (Breakfast Included in Rate for 2 people)
Please visit the link, and the hotel’s website, for more information.
Other Accommodation Options
There are many accommodation options to suit all budgets and personal preferences around Wellington. Please consult these resources when choosing your accommodation:
9. Competition Rules
General
All shiai will be conducted in accordance with the AJKF Rules and Regulations of Kendo Shiai and Shimpan. It is the responsibility of club instructors to ensure their members are familiar with these rules and general shiai etiquette before the event. Competitors who do not present themselves for their match in a timely manner may be defaulted.
Match durations have been selected to conform with the format of the most recent WKC in 2023, and the NZKF’s guidelines.
Individual Matches
All preliminary shiai are sanbon-shobu (3-point match) with 4-minute duration
Semi-finals and finals will be 5-minute duration
Initial rounds will be conducted as pools of three competitors. Pool winners advance to single-elimination rounds.
During single-elimination rounds, in the case victory has not been decided within the shiai duration , encho will be applied, wherein the shiai-sha who first scores one point shall be the winner.
Pool Tie-Breakers
If competitors are tied within a pool, the following criteria apply in order:
Number of match wins
Number of points scored
Result of direct match between tied competitors (if applicable)
Play-off match (Ippon-Shobu)
Team Matches
All preliminary matches are Sanbon-Shobu (3-point match) with 4-minute duration
Semi-finals and finals will be 5-minute duration
Team order must be submitted before each match
The team winning the most individual matches wins the match
Each club may enter one team per division. Each team must designate a Team Captain
Team Tie-Breakers
If a team match ends in a draw (equal wins and equal points), the following applies:
Each team selects one competitor for a play-off match (Ippon-Shobu)
The winner of the play-off determines the outcome of the team match
Kata
All kata must be performed in accordance with AJKF Nihon Kendo Kata guidelines
Competitors must be prepared to perform both Uchidachi and Shidachi roles for all 10 kata
Role allocation for each round will be determined by the Head Judge prior to the match
Earlier rounds may require a reduced set; all 10 kata are expected from the semi-finals onward
The outcome will be determined by hantei
Equipment Checks
Prior to use in the shiai, all shinai must undergo equipment check and approval in accordance with AJKF regulations. Competitors are responsible for ensuring their equipment meets the required standards before the event.