Student Journeys

Every martial arts student is on their own journey. They find their path by various ways and for many different reasons. We share some of our students' journeys below and encourage you to begin your own journey.

"Kung Fu is actually good for you!"

Hi, my name is Craig, I'm 27 years old and I started NPC Kung Fu in January 2004. I'd never done a martial art before and got the idea from a friend who loved "The Matrix." While he never showed up to class, I found the courage to give it a go... having no idea how it would positively impact my life.

I wanted to get fit, learn self defence, and have more confidence. I'm not a big guy (5'10" and 64kgs) and always felt slightly uneasy being out on the town late at night. I definitely liked the idea of kung fu giving me a fighting chance against guys a lot bigger than me. Plus, I'll admit I thought the fight scenes in "The Matrix" were cool too...

I vividly remember doing these "strange" press-ups in my first class. I remember being able to do about 10 before my arms refused to lift me off the ground again. But I'm happy to say that changed quickly and soon I was amazing myself with how physically fit and strong I'd become.

I had a friend of a friend whose famous party trick was doing 7 one-handed press-ups. After doing kung fu for a few months this became quite unimpressive though I never had the heart to show him up. Kung fu is about suppression of your ego after all...

Kung fu also led to many unexpected benefits. It started my love of travel when some of the students and I went to Malaysia to train with 82 year old Master Quek and England to train with Master Lai. I stayed in England for just over a year travelling Europe thanks to this trip.

It also gave me the confidence to move to Spain by myself with a very basic knowledge of the Spanish language. While there, I taught English which involved standing in front of classes teaching important business people nearly twice my age. Not bad for someone who lacked confidence a few years before.

Although I was unable to train for 2 years while in Spain, the kung fu bug stayed with me. It's like a drug... except it's actually good for you! On return to New Zealand I took up training again and haven't looked back. I know that kung fu will always have an important place in my life.

All that remains is to thank Sifu, Simo, and my fellow students for what they've contributed to my life. I couldn't be happier I made that one little decision to try a kung fu class that day!

Craig Dewe, 1st Brown Belt, 12 January 2009

"My husband and I recommend this martial art to everyone who asks!"

I would like to say that my children attend Nam Pai Chuan because of the family values, self discipline and fun that they have at the schools ( I have children in both Ferguson St and Tremaine Ave ). Originally my son Nathaniel attended with his cousin and enjoy it so much that he started to set goals for himself.

He learnt very quickly that the more he gave - the more he got back, my daughter watched her brother all the time and made the decision that she would like to attend as well. She enjoys the discipline of the art and the friendships that develop.

As a parent I like the discipline they learn, the family values, the friendships, the respect for one another and their environment, I also like the fact that they are expected to give back. Every student is valued and respected for what he/she bring to this school and how the contribute.

I always feel welcome and as much apart of the school as my children. I have been nursed through a couple of the grading by the seniors that are at the school as I watch my son achieved his first goal of becoming a black belt and have know doubt that as my daughter works her way through the gradings I will have lots of support as well.

My husband and I recommend this martial art to everyone who asks because our children continue to thrive in and out of Nam Pai Chuan and I foresee bright futures for them both as they continue their journey through life.

Lathainia Picking, Mother, 3rd March 2011

"I have attended all community events like going out to Highland Home to do Tai Chi with children affected by cancer."

Hi, I am Kelsey I am twenty years old, I have trained in Nam Pai Chuan for the last 14 years and have given each training session 100%.I can clearly remember training in both the children’s and adults classes three nights a week from the age of 12 until I turned 14 when I was no longer able to train in the children’s class simply due to the fact that I was too big for that class.

I have attended every grading we have ever had in Palmerston North. This is because Sifu has explained that we are all one family and need to support each other which I agree with, so I have attended every grading, even if I myself am not grading, to help any other students who need help and to stand in where Sifu asks me too.

Kung fu is a huge part of my life and I love sharing it with as many people as I possibly can, whether it is through demonstrations or community events I am more than happy to attend.

I have attended all community events like going out to Highland Home to do Tai Chi with children affected by cancer. I was in attendance every time the chill out kids came to the Kung Fu hall during the school holidays, the self defence classes at the IRD, fundraising for the S.P.C.A. and woman’s refuge. The Hokowhitu kindergartens Chinese New Year celebration for the last two years, Intermediate Normal’s classes in the hall, self defence at Girls High, Massey physical education students for the last 3 year and many more.

I must admit my success has a lot to do with my role models Sifu and Simo. They are excellent teachers and they explain everything in such detail that misunderstanding is impossible. I model my teaching on them and if I get stuck I stop and think about what they would do.

Kelsey O'Sullivan, Black Belt, 12th December 2009

"I’m so glad that I decided to look for a Martial Art for the family!"

Hi, my name is Wallace,I remember the 1st time I walked into Song Shan in 2004, it was after I’d rung enquiring about starting my girls up to do Nam Pai Chuan.

I walked into the kwoon, I could hear all the people talking inside, suddenly as I stepped into the kwoon, Silence pierced the air, I could hear a spider crawling up the wall next to me, it was like the world had come to a sudden halt. I turned round and noticed a woman behind the counter with the biggest smile I’d ever seen so I waltz on over with two scared little girls in tow and introduced myself to her.

This wonderful woman turned out to be “ Simo “, and thus the journey had begun for the girls firstly, as after watching them for two weeks I became intrigued with this Martial Art and started to think, Heyyyyyy, this is really cool maybe I could do this too. So I walked up to to this gentleman who everyone said was the head Instructor and boldly asked , “May I train tonight?”, To which He said “yes”, and who may you ask was this gentleman – It was my “Sifu” - and so MY journey into Nam Pai Chuan had begun.

This journey has taken me to places people sometimes dream about ,Ive been to Malaysia , and Ive been to Japan, and it’s because of Sifu and Simo and the system that I’ve been lucky enough to travel abroad to foreign countries doing something I’m very passionate about and now after all these years I'm an Instructor myself teaching my own students in my own school the etiquette and values Ive learnt from my Sifu and Simo to my own students.

I’m so glad that I decided to look for a Martial Art for the family, I’m so glad after watching the girls I decided to join as well, I’m so glad I have this in my life , I’m so glad for everything Nam Pai Chuan has done for me and my family, I’m so glad to be a student of Sifu.

Wallace Stirling, blackbelt aged forty something! January 2010

"I truly believe that involvement in a good martial art and specifically Nam Pai Chuan is good for people."

Hi, I am Garath, I began training under Sifu in March 1996. Since that time I have trained at least twice a week. When school, work or other personal commitments have allowed I have trained three times a week. I have never “taken a break” or allowed “life” to stop me.

I know that I still have a very long way to go in my own development. Seeing and training with Tai Si Gung, Si Gung and Sifu serve as constant reminders of this fact. I know that if I train hard for the rest of my life I will never “master” it all. I can but train hard, apply myself to everything I do and hope that my Sifu, Si Gung, Tai Si Gung and other seniors will continue to share their knowledge with me and continue to guide me on my journey.

I love Nam Pai Chuan. I truly believe that involvement in a good martial art and specifically Nam Pai Chuan is good for people and society as a whole. I know this through my own experience; NPC has enriched my life in countless ways. Because of this I am committed to helping others experience the same benefits in their lives.

I was not born a leader. I did not come to Nam Pai Chuan a leader (I came because my brothers did, I came as a follower). However the way in which Nam Pai Chuan has helped me the most is that it has given me the confidence and the skills to become a leader. There are many opportunities in Nam Pai Chuan for people to take on leadership roles.

I strive to always lead by example, both in my own training and in my teaching. I have never asked someone to do something that I cannot or would not do. I have high expectations of my students because I have high expectations of myself.

Garath Roberts, blackbelt aged twenty one January 2010

"Kung Fu helped me focus at University and I finished with a Business degree
AND a degree in Kung Fu."

Hi my name is Simon, I moved to Palmerston North from Wellington to study at Massey University. Like most students I finished my first year with no direction and was just floating along. I looked for something outside Uni, to keep me sane.

I’ve played lots of different sports and been a member of many different clubs, NPC offered much more. From day one, doing tram lines in the middle of the hall and PNF stretching, I never new exercise could be so fun.

I started training under Sifu at Song Shan, in 1998. I enjoyed the training so much; I committed myself to training three times a week. NPC got me fit, organized and motivated. This helped me focus at University and I finished with a Business degree and a degree in Kung Fu. It is hard to explain how rewarding it was to do my first degree blackbelt; it is a day I’ll always remember.

I’ve traveled to Malaysia, Singapore and the UK with NPC. I’ve met some great people and had some interesting and enjoyable training experiences. But that’s another story and you will have to come to one of my classes to here about it. I hope to travel to Australia and Japan one day, a NPC trip shouldn’t be missed, if you can help it.

NPC teaches you leadership skills and never to be afraid of a challenge. In 2003 I moved to Auckland for work and started the Remuera club. 7 years down the track and we have a great NPC club in Auckland, with another one just opened. I have tried my best to follow Sifu’s teaching of NPC and pass it on to new students.

12 years of training and 7 years of teaching, and I still consider myself a student and teacher in training. NPC is always evolving and so are the students. In the wise words of the system “learn always” and “assume nothing.”

Simon Billington, blackbelt January 2011

"The school also imposes our beliefs that they should be respectful to one another."

Our daughter first started Kung Fu as her friend wanted to give it a try and didn't want to go on her own - her original plan was to go along with her friend while her dance class was on summer break and then she would return to dancing! Now the plan is to be a Black Belt by the time she is 16! Our son stayed to watch at one of the early classes and he decided he would like to give it a try too - 3 years later they are both still dedicated and look forward to classes today as they did on the day they started.

We were comforted to find that the children are taught that combat should only be used as a last resort - but should they need to we are confident that they are able to defend themselves.

Being a family from overseas we really like the family values that are enforced by the school. Our daughter, Polly, helps with the class on a Tuesday night which has really given her a sense of empathy and our son, James, who has always been on the shy side, has gained confidence in communicating with people of all ages, not just his peers. The school also imposes our beliefs that they should be respectful to one another and their surroundings and that with tolerance, practice and enthusiasm, they can accomplish anything in their journey through life - our family has made some great friendships through the school.

Mandy & Bill Williams March 2011

"My Kung Fu Journey started when I was four years of age."

My Kung Fu Journey started when I was four years of age. I remember going to Hodford Hall in England with my Dad to watch him train under Master Lai. I would sit on the stage and watch; sometimes I would try to imitate what they were doing.

Moving to New Zealand was a very big thing. We didn’t have any family or know anyone here. The only thing we did have was Kung Fu. Once we were settled Dad opened a class, and of course, it took off. It didn’t matter that I didn't have many friends at school, or any cousins to play with, I had my Kung Fu family. Every Birthday, the Kung fu family was there. Christmas and New Years was the same. No matter what I could always count on my kung fu family.

I've been doing Kung Fu for seventeen years now. Kung Fu is a HUGE part of my life, I don’t think anything will ever or can ever compare to it. I plan on doing and teaching it for another 17 plus years.

Samantha aged 22 January 2011