Goju Ryu Karate is one of the three major styles of Okinawan Karate from which all other systems of Japanese Karate are derived. Okinawa is the largest of the Ryu Kyu Island chain situated at the southern tip of Japan and is the birth place of Karate, as we know it today. Karate was only transported to mainland Japan in 1922 and it may be little known that this art of the empty hand has its roots in Southern Chinese Boxing (Nan Chuan).

An Okinawan Martial Artist by the name of "Kanryo Higashionna" travelled to mainland China to pursue the study of Chinese Fighting Arts around 1877. Higashionna trained under the famous Martial Arts Master Ryu Ryu Ko. On his return to Okinawa in 1890, he settled in Naha (the port capital of Okinawa) and combined the indigenous Te (meaning hand) Fighting Art of his native Island people, with a modified version of the Chinese White Crane system he had studied in China. He called his art "Naha Te", this being both a combination of the name of the city in which Higashionna lived and the name of his native Okinawan Fighting system.

One of Higashionna's top students was a young boy named Chojun Miyagi. Born of a wealthy family, Miyagi was able to devote his whole life to the study and practice of Budo (Martial Ways).

After the death of his teacher, Miyagi also travelled to China to research the Chinese Martial Arts. He made a number of trips, training in Fukien White Crane (along with other Southern Chinese Systems) under a senior student of Master Ryu Ryu Ko.

Upon his return to Okinawa, Miyagi Sensei (teacher) was awarded the title of "Master of Karate", the very first such

Miyagi had also travelled to Japan and Hawaii demonstrating and teaching his art. At this time he was considered one of the most powerful and knowledgable Karate men in the world.

Miyagi returned again to Okinawa and after settling down and establishing a permanent Dojo at his house, he began organising a syllabus of training for what has today become known as Goju Ryu Karate.

Chojun Miyagi coined the name Goju Ryu from a Chinese Martial Arts text called the "Bubishi" (regarded as the bible of Karate). The name Goju Ryu translates as:

GO = Hard/Strong

JU = Soft/Flexible

RYU = School/Family

Meaning the hard and soft school of Karate.

Miyagi always taught with an emphasis on Kata and Bunkai (fighting moves) and it is no secret  that the Kata taught today in the Okinawan Goju Schools are the same as those forms taught by Chojun Miyagi and his teacher Kanryo Higashionna.

After the Master's death the successorship of the Ryu, went to Sensei An'chi Miyagi, protégé and Uchi Deshi

Master Morio Higaonna is chairman and Chief instructor of the International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-Do Federation (I.O.G.K.F), to which our National body is closely affiliated. Higaonna Sensei is regarded as one of the foremost authorities on Goju Ryu Karate in the world and is renown as one of the world's leading "Masters of Karate". His power and technique are unequalled in the Martial Arts world and he is known as a brilliant Kata exponent and a fearsome Fighter.

The late Donn F Draeger (regarded as one of the western world's leading authorities on Asian Martial Arts and Yudansha-black belt holder of over 50 Dan Grades in various Japanese Martial Arts) stated "I know of no one in the world today that could beat this man (Morio Higaonna) in actual Combat. When he executes a technique he is unstoppable. He is the very best".

Another quote from a leading Karate authority, Teruo Chinen, states "Higaonna Sensei is truly a master of his art, he is one of the few men who could actually kill you with just one punch".

Higaonna Sensei is also a San Dan (third degree black belt) in Judo and has also trained extensively in KoBudo (Traditional Okinawan Weaponry).

Master Higaonna visits New Zealand frequently and has graded all senior black belt instructors for Goju Ryu Karate in this country, to date.

The first chief instructor for Goju Ryu Karate in New Zealand was John Jarvis Sensei (5th Dan). Jarvis had had extensive training in Japan, originally starting with the Kyokushinkai Karate Style, which he also holds the rank of 5th Dan. He also branched into Japanese KoBudo (classical weapons systems) holding Dan grades in laido, Jodo and Tanjo.

The next chief instructor for Goju Ryu Karate in New Zealand was Dennis May (6th Dan). He was the National head for the New Zealand Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-Do Association (N.Z.O.G.K.A) for approximately eight years.

The current chief instructor for the Hamilton Goju Ryu Karate Dojo and a member of the I.O.G.K.F.(N.Z) technical committee is Terry Hill (6th Dan). His training hall (Dojo) is located at the Tech Rec Centre, Waikato Polytech, Hamilton, New Zealand

Terry Hill has been practising Martial Arts for over 27 years, having spent his first six years training in New Plymouth at the Rembuden Karate Dojo, under Sensei Ken Roberts (5th Dan).

Terry has had an extensive career in Traditional Martial Arts and Modern Fighting Sports competition, gaining a silver medal at the NZ Amateur Wrestling Championships in 1989. He also won a Taranaki Amateur Boxing title in 1978, before moving to Hamilton in 1980.

Teaching Karate at the University of Waikato from 1981 till 1993, Terry Hill during that period won the New Zealand Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Championships (Heavy Weight Division) three times and the N.K.F. (National Karate Federation) Open Kata and Heavy Weight Kumite division in 1988. He was also the coach for the Waikato University Karate Team who had been undefeated in National competition for over eight years. In 1989-90 Terry Hill, then New Zealand Middleweight and Super Middleweight Kick Boxing champion, fought and defeated the mecca of the Kick Boxing world the Thais. In 1985 he won the last of the New Zealand Open Full Contact Martial Arts Championships (Middle Weight). Then in 1991 Terry Hill went on to win the first New Zealand I.O.G.K.F. (Heavy Weight) Full Contact Karate Championship Title, and later that same year the 1st I.O.G.K.F WORLD (Heavy Weight) Full Contact Karate Championship Title. This capped off a 13 year competitive career with 100 fights to his credit for 81 wins, 18 loses and 1 draw. Terry Hill is also a former N.Z.O.G.K.A, U.N.Z.K.O and W.A.K.O National Karate Coach and Selector having retired from these positions in 1994.

He is currently the national San Shou coach for the New Zealand Chinese Martial Arts & International Wu Shu Council and is one of the Internationaly Licensed Judges for San Shou in Australasia.

Terry’s most successful students include Luke Hill, Sho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt) and International Iri Kumi (Full Contact) Karate Champion 1999.

Terry’s top overseas student is Derek English, San Dan (3rd Degree Black Belt) in both Traditional Karate Do and Okinawan KoBudo.

Karate Jutsu – Bu Jutsu

Empty Hand Art – Martial Art