JNZ Instructor Profiles
Blake TURNBULL
National Instructor
Dan: 4th-dan
Dojo: Kyoto, Japan (originally Dunedin, NZ)
Blake started training in Goju-Ryu Karate in 1996 at the age of four. He continued training uninterruptedly, earning his Sho-dan at the age of 16. In 2008, he first trained at the Jundokan So-Honbu in Okinawa, and has contonued to refine his knowledge and skills in Goju-Ryu ever since. After moving to Japan in 2016, he now speaks Japanese fluently and regularly trains at the Jundokan multiple times a year. In 2019, he started the Kyoto branch of the Jundokan.
Paul ALLOTT
Technical Advisor, Shibucho
Dan: 7th-dan
Dojo: Nelson
Paul started training in Judo at aged 10 under Japanese trained instructor, Bill Morrison. His karate training began in 1983, and he was promoted to sho-dan in 1986 under Craig Barlow-sensei (Founder and Chief instructor of Cho-Wa-Do). After 10 years training in this style, he then pursued a new direction in martial arts with Goju-Ryu, eventually forging a relationship with Miyazato Eiichi-sensei and the Jundokan in Okinawa. Paul is now recognised as New Zealand Shibucho (Overseas Head) of the Jundokan Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-do Sohonbu Dojo, Okinawa. In 1999 he was honoured to be promoted to Go-dan by Miyazato Eiichi-sensei. His most recent grading was in Okinawa in 2019 where he was promoted to Nana-dan under Gima Tetsu-sensei, Kinjo Tsuneo-sensei, Higa Kazuya-sensei and Miyazato Yoshihiro-Kancho. Paul has over 40 years experience and is keen to encourage young members to participate in the lifestyle pursuit of martial arts.
Bryan WILLIAMS
Shibucho
Dan: 5th-dan
Dojo: Taupaki (Auckland)
(Coming soon)
David LOW
Dan: 5th-dan
Dojo: Westport
Dave started training in 1984 in Cho Wa-Do; a form very similar to Seido Karate. He trained there for 8 years, eventually reaching Ni-dan. Over the following years, he trained in various different types of martial arts while away with work, including Taekwondo, Chinese kempo, Chidokan karate etc. Dave switched to Goju-Ryu karate in 1993, first training with Higaonna Mori-sensei for few years, before moving to be a part of the Jundokan in about 2002. He had a brief stint training with the kyokai for a few years, before returning to the Jundokan, which he has since found to be his home. His philosophy in training is simple: don’t stop training.
David MARTIN
Dan: 3rd-dan
Dojo: Taupaki (Auckland)
David started training in Goju-Ryu Karate in 2004 when Sensei Bryan Williams opened a dojo in Taupaki, north west Auckland. He earned his Sho-dan at the the 2008 memorial seminar in Naha. David continues to train at Taupaki and was promoted to San-dan on a return trip to the Jundokan in 2015 under Gima Tetsu-sensei and Kinjo Tsuneo-sensei.
Amy WHITE
Dan: 2nd-dan
Dojo: Taupaki (Auckland)
Amy began training in Goju-Ryu Karate in Taupkai at age seven under Sensei Bryan Williams and has trained with him ever since. She was promoted to Sho-dan at a JNZ seminar in Auckland. In 2023, under Gima Tetsu-Sensei, Kinjo Tsuneo-Sensei, Higa Kazuya-Sensei and Miyazato Yoshihiro-Kancho, she was promoted to Ni-dan at the Jundokan in Okinawa. Amy remains committed to her training and continues to refine her skills in Auckland.