Wellington Region Karate Academy

Osu! previous members and supporters of the Wellington Region Karate Academy (WRKA), and practitioners of Gosoku-ryū Karate-do everywhere.

Today Soke Takayuki (Tak) Kubota has passed, in peace and surrounded by his family and students.

Soke was and forever will be an original, an authentic, a true warrior. He did not go with the grain or care about global Karate politics or flavours - he was just 'him' and stood proud and tall (well, figuratively!) on the shoulders of his own life, experiences and achievements.

I was humbled to have seen Soke's human side in my times training under him. I remember hardly understanding a word Soke said, to then immediately becoming his chief translator from 'Soke' to 'Kiwi'. I remember him laughing as he showed me how his license had 'Soke' printed on it. I remember him walking into the towbar of my car and it hurting his shin - I had to laugh given this was after years of watching the videos of him pounding those same shins with a hammer without a flinch. He loved his wine, and taught us how to best cook Ling (fish) - and we still use his recipe today. He had a way of giggling like a mischievous and chubby Japanese schoolgirl at the strangest of things, giving you no choice but to fall into the puddle of his humor, but in the next minute - he would once again command the room with a regal air of earned confidence, respect and authority.

Buried somewhere I have many electronic photos and videos from Soke's visits to us in NZ in 2011 and 2017, and from my/our many trips to train with him in LA - I hope to share more of these soon, and if you have some please also share them.

Osu Soke. Your passing has stirred a deep sadness in me, from the world now missing something unique that will never be found again. But this is enveloped by feelings of gratitude, humility and gratefulness for the time you afforded me, afforded us, afforded all.

Osu Soke. Go well.

Sensei Scott MacKenzie
3rd Dan and Chief Instructor, WRKA

Here's a couple of old-school WRKA photos! The 'red' one shows Soke Kubota awarding me my Nidan, the LA students I met as part of this trip, and then top right is the original group of WRKA students before we had an identify or a dojo - just a group of dedicated karateka!

Second photo was WRKA in our 1 Parkway dojo.

Please don't ask me for dates these were taken - but fond memories! :)

Happy Black History Month!

With much sorrow and love, we are mourning the loss of Robert Van Etten who passed away peacefully on 11 January 2023 after his long battle with cancer.

Known to many as Sensei Rob (3rd Dan in Go-Kan-Ryu Karate-Do) Rob was as tough as steel on the outside, but with a caring and supportive heart of gold hidden within. He was our instructor, our student, our friend, our confidant, and part of our family. His presence, his stoic demeanour, his cynical humour, his cocky smile, and his love will be missed.

Rob's family, who are in our thoughts at this sad time, will hold a small memorial service in Wainuiomata soon - please contact family, Scott or Lynda if you would like further details. An online memorial page will likely be created by the family but in the meantime, please share any photos you have of Rob here along with your good wishes, thoughts and memories.

Osu, Sensei Rob. You are at rest but will always be in our hearts.

Osu! WRKA students and families.

I trust you are all in good spirits and celebrating New Zealand’s success in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the implications of the pandemic will be long lasting, it is good to regain some sense of normality with schools and many workplaces returning to a normal rhythm.

You will recall in 2019 that Lynda and I announced the closure of the WRKA. We had decided, after spending almost half our lives dedicated to the art of karate, that it was time to move on to fresh horizons. A large part of this decision was the long-term health implications karate training was having on us. Then we elected to continue into 2020 at the Ishinryu dojo for the primary purpose of organizing and preparing for one final trip to Los Angeles, USA to train with Soke Kubota late in 2020. Given world events, the likelihood of this trip occurring anytime soon is very slim.

Those closer to us will know that 2019 was more than just a karate change for Lynda and I. From December 2018 we sold our house and moved out of Wainuiomata, started a new business, closed and sold off our gym, sold our commercial building in Wainuiomata, and behind the scenes – I retired from 25+ years of management consulting to focus on our new business. This was on top of Lynda’s dojo injury in August that she is still recovering from today. It has been a very long, tough and transformational 18 months for us, and in retrospect I am so happy we made these changes as had we not, the COVID-19 lockdown could have been a financial disaster for us.

As we emerge from this period, though again said with a heavy heart: It’s time for us to move on and focus on our new horizons. On this basis, the Wellington Region Karate Academy (WRKA) will not be re-opening.

I would like to personally thank all of you for your years of support, trust and belief in us. We will follow up in the near future to arrange a farewell dinner, to resolve the WRKA fundraising account, and to award the IKA grading certificates I have been holding onto for our ‘new’ Black Belts that arrived during lockdown.

Please stay in touch, and I look forward to seeing you all prosper and enjoy your individual life journeys.

Yours in the eternal spirit of karate-do,

Scott M

Happy Queen’s Birthday Weekend!

We as a country are doing so well eliminating the threat of COVID 19; only ONE person!!! Remember your social distancing while you enjoy the gorgeous sunny day, long weekend and sales!!!

Happy Birthday Sensei 🎂🎶🎶🎶