NZKKA

Although Shaolin Kempo techniques date back many thousands of years, modern Kenpo Karate’s history (as it is taught today) begins in 1954,  When the late GrandMaster Ed PARKER began teaching the style in the USA.

Ed PARKER grew up in Hawaii and began learning Kenpo from local Masters such as William CHOW and James MITOSE.  He moved to mainland USA to study at University and at the same time opened his first training hall in California.  He immediately noticed that the techniques he had been taught, though useful, needed to be modified to handle the more streetwise opponents in LA.  The end result was an art that mixed scientific logic (kinesiology, physics, etc.) with proven street techniques.

One of Ed PARKERS leading students was Larry TATUM who started training in the early 60’s.  Larry TATUM is ranked 10th degree Black Belt and is now, since Ed PARKERS death, the leading authority on Kenpo Karate in the world.

NZKKA teaches the devastating KENPO syllabus taught by Larry Tatum.  It is ideally suited to the Western lifestyle.