We are honoured to invite you to the 2024 NZ National Karate Championships. This year, the event will feature a new format: open events in the 10-11 and 12-13-year-old divisions, allowing development and intermediate players to compete against premier players. The New Zealand Nationals is the pinnacle event for Karate practitioners in New Zealand, providing a unique opportunity to test their skills against the best in the country.

We look forward to seeing you there!

We plan to begin in the late afternoon or early evening on Friday, September 6th, and finish earlier on Saturday, September 7th, so KNZ can host a prize-giving ceremony that evening. More information will be provided as the Nationals approach.

The 2024 New Zealand National Championships are open to competitors aged ten and older. Divisions are determined based on the competitor's age as of September 6th. All entries for athletes, coaches, and referees must be submitted by their club/ region officials. Competitors can move up to the premier division for this event. However, if they win a medal in the premier division, they are expected to compete in that division for the 2025 season.

Please Note: This event will only proceed if we have sufficient entries.

TOURNAMENT FEES: (one individual event per athlete plus $10 for each additional individual event).

ATHLETE AND TEAM ENTRIES (Including Payment of Entries):

A delegate from each club/ region must complete all entries and payments under the club's/region's name. When paying entry fees via Internet banking, note that payment for both competitions must be made as a single club/ region payment.

Entry Deadline:

• All entries must be received by 6:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2024, which is three weeks before the competitions. This deadline allows sufficient time to generate the draws and timetable.

• Late entries or changes will not be accepted if a club/ region has not registered by Friday, August 17th.

• All competitor entries must be completed online through Sportdata. The process should be facilitated by your club instructor or the assigned individual representing your club/ region. Ensure submissions are made under the club's designated name.

• The individual registering the club/association/ region on Sportdata is responsible for informing players, coaches, instructors, parents, and supporters of the Terms and Conditions, Health and Safety guidelines, and Code of Conduct outlined in the disclaimer.

Requirements:

• Photos: Passport-like photos (headshots only) of players, coaches, and referees must be uploaded to Sportdata. The photos should clearly identify the individuals, and outdated photos should be updated.

• Weight Entries: Players’ weights must be accurately entered on Sportdata. Incorrect weight entries could result in the player being ejected from the tournament without a refund.

• Entry Fees: All entry fees must be paid as a single club/association/ region payment by 6:00 pm on Monday, August 20th. Payments should be made via Internet banking to Karate New Zealand (Westpac Account: 03 0180 0177734 001) with your ‘club/association name’ and 'NATS-24' in the bank reference.

Important Notes:

• No late entries or changes will be accepted if a club has not registered by Friday, August 17th. Early organisation of clubs is encouraged to avoid the need to extend the entry deadline. This allows tournament organisers to plan effectively and publish the draws and final timetable earlier.

• If there are insufficient entries in a particular division, the divisions may be combined or not held.

Please Note:

1. No individual player can enter themselves. This allows players from the same club to be separated in the draws when possible.

2. Competitors can only compete for their club as financial members or for its region.

3. Seedings in the draws for this tournament will be based on the 2023 NZ National Championships.

Athletes and spectators may be photographed and filmed for live and/or web streaming and may be featured in a highlights package (with options for international viewing). By attending the venue on Friday and Saturday, you consent to be filmed, photographed, or interviewed.

TENTATIVE TOURNAMENT PROGRAMME:

To be confirmed: Senior Male and Female Kata are scheduled for Friday, September 6th. We will also endeavour to include a 10-13 year old grade(s) on Friday.

COMPETITION RULES: as at 23rd June 2024

Player and Coach Attire:

• During the bow at the beginning of the tournament, all players must wear a Gi or Club tracksuit and present themselves correctly.

• Coaches must wear their club or national tracksuits. Unregistered coaches may be ejected from the coaching chairs.

Rules Application:

• WKF Rules or KNZ-modified Rules will be applied in the tournament.

Entry Information:

• All entries are final. Ensure all entries are completed correctly, as incorrect age or weight information may result in disqualification from the tournament.

• Coaches/Clubs must update player information in the Sportdata system. The Sportdata system will only adjust age, not weight or grade.

Coach and Referee Registration:

• All coaches must be registered on Sportdata. No unauthorised persons will be allowed on the tatami at any time. The coach's photo must be a headshot (shoulders and above) without hoodies covering the head.

• All referees must be registered on Sportdata. The referee's photo must be a headshot (shoulders and above).

• Registered coaches should be able to practice First Aid and be aware of the signs of concussion. More information can be found here.

• Coaches must successfully complete the ONLINE COACHES EXAMINATION.

Organising Committee Rights:

• The Organising Committee reserves the right to withdraw, combine, or change Event Categories if and when required up to 48 hours before the Competition Opening.

Player Registration:

• All players must present themselves to the Registration Table and register before their competition (Kumite players may be weighed). Registration times will be posted once the timetable is finalised.

• Each participant must download, fill in, and sign an ATHLETE REGISTRATION FORM (found in the downloads). Athletes under 16 must have their registration form signed by a parent/ caregiver. No form, no competition.

KATA, TEAM KATA & KUMITE REQUIREMENTS:

KATA: These rules will apply with the following modifications:

2024 National Karate Championships (14 Years and Older)

• Participants can perform any approved WKF Kata.

• Repeats are not allowed as per WKF rules.

2024 National Karate Championships (Under 14 Years)

• Participants can perform any approved WKF Kata.

• This is an Open event, so competitors cannot repeat the same Kata consecutively; they can perform in a sequence like A, B, A, B, etc., including for the medal rounds.

• Competitors will perform two at a time, including in the final round.

Judging Systems

• For competitors aged 13 years and under, the old WKF flag system will be used for judging.

• The electronic WKF Kata judging system will be used for cadets and older.

• A flag system may be used as a backup if the electronic scoring system has any issues.

TEAM KATA:

Teams for Kata must either be all-male or all-female; no mixed teams are allowed. We want to promote Team Kata as another avenue to represent NZ. Kata teams entered must be able to perform bunkai. We reserve the right to run Team Kata, where each team perform the Kata as a single round, with all teams performing bunkai to determine medal places.

For 10 to 13-year-olds, we reserve the right to combine male and female teams in these age groups, with a maximum of two male and female teams per club. WKF Kata can be repeated, but not consecutively; Bunkai required for medal rounds; Ages: 10 - 13 Years Old, inclusive. 

For 14-years and older teams, we may run a mixed grade for all male and female teams in these age groups.

• 14 - 17 years WKF Kata can be repeated, but not consecutively; Bunkai required for medal rounds; Ages: 14 - 17 Years Old, inclusive.

• 16 years + WKF Kata in all rounds, no repetition permitted, Bunkai required for medal rounds; Ages: 16 - 99 Years Old, inclusive.

• Team Kata must be completed within 5 minutes, including Bunkai

• A maximum of two teams per club can be entered in each male and female category for Juniors and under. Competitors entered in the team/s must be registered, and financial members of the entered club.

NB: Competitors must announce the name of the Kata they will be performing before they start performing the Kata. They must also bow inside the competition area before starting and after completing the Kata. The competitor will be disqualified for failing to do so.

KUMITE:

• Depending on numbers, all Kumite divisions could be split into weight divisions, so please ensure your player's weight is correctly entered on Sportdata; otherwise, you may be disqualified from competing (non-WKF weight grades may differentiate weight grades).

• Techniques toward the head can score for children 13 and under, but NO contact to the head will be allowed. Any contact (unless by self-endangerment—Mubobi), including skin touch, will be penalised (i.e., Head, Face, Neck—Jodan area). 

• WKF points, warning, and penalty systems will be used for all Kumite Events.


• For all ages, the WKF rules will apply.

KUMITE BOUT DURATION - NZ National Karate Championships for Males and Females:

• 10 – 13 years old - 1.5 minutes

• 14 – 17 years old - 2.0 minutes (as per WKF rules)

• U’21 and Senior - 3.0 minutes (as per WKF Rules)

• Veteran (35 years and older) divisions - 2.0 minutes

TEAMS FOR KUMITE:

We are thrilled to introduce a new concept for Team Kumite! Teams will now be selected by the New Zealand Selectors and National Coaches based on the clubs' geographical locations. Participants will be divided into two teams: the North Island team and the South Island team. This is yet another reason to register early to ensure everyone is accounted for and organised.

However, to ensure the best possible teams, selectors and coaches have the flexibility to draft players not initially selected for their respective Island teams into either team. This drafting process, commonly used in various sports and games, involves choosing players from a pool to form the most competitive teams.

Team Composition:

• Senior (18 years and older): 2 males and 2 females per island.

• Cadet/Junior: 2 males and 2 females in each of the following age groups (14-15, 15-16, and 16-17 years old) per island.

• Pre-Cadet (12-13 years old): 2 males and 2 females per island.

Each Inter-Island team will consist of 10 males and 10 females. Competitors will compete within their selected age band, ensuring fair and balanced matches. More will come as we finalise the new concept.

We look forward to this new format, which promises to bring an exciting dynamic to Team Kumite.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• All competitors (Kumite and Kata) must wear a clean white Karate Gi in good condition. 

• As competitors, players must follow the WKF rules, i.e., wear a white karate gi without stripes, piping, or personal embroidery.

• ALL KUMITE COMPETITORS MUST WEAR Mouthguards, Body protectors (protection), Red and Blue belts, and Red and Blue hand mitts (matching their competing belts). Foot protectors must match the belt colour. 

• All equipment must be approved by KNZ, Oceania, or WKF.

• Kumite competitors must wear their own groin protectors (KNZ-approved or WKF type)


• Female Kumite 11-year-olds & above – advised to wear an approved chest protector (breast protector) underneath the body protector.

• Article 2 of the WKF Kumite Rules clearly states that for competitors under 14 years of age, the use of a WKF-approved Helmet and External Chest Protector is compulsory;.a WKF face mask or other KNZ padded protection is deemed acceptable by the Tournament Organising Committee.

EVENT MANAGEMENT:

KUMITE EVENTS: 

• With categories with only 3 competitors, a ROUND ROBIN DRAW will be made if time allows.

• With categories with 4-8 competitors, there will be a repechage for a single third place.

• With categories with 9 or more competitors, there will be a repechage for two third-places.

PROTESTS/ APPEALS:

To uphold the integrity of the decision-making process for an appeal, club protests must be exclusively presented by the club's senior coach, who is duly listed in Sportdata for the specific event. This authoritative requirement ensures a standardised approach and reinforces the credibility of the protest procedure.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:

Please be aware that we must follow the guidelines set by SPORT NEW ZEALAND. A reminder to the players, coaches, supporters, the public, and event workers: If you are unwell, DO NOT ATTEND.

As part of Health and Safety, we need to be sure that player weights for Kumite are correct. Therefore, check that player weights for Kumite are accurate on Club/ Association information in Sportdata. If an athlete is entered in an incorrect weight category, this could result in disqualification from that particular event - no refund!

REFUND POLICY:

A full refund of the Entry Fee can only be given if a competitor withdraws before 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 26th, 2024. Refunds after this date will only be provided if a Medical Certificate is sent to the Organizing Committee before Friday, August 30th. If your event has been cancelled due to a lack of numbers and you have yet to be reallocated to another event, you will be entitled to a refund for that portion of your entry fee.

PLEASE NOTE: The player is responsible for listening to the events being called and reporting to the Marshall on time. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

DISPUTES:

A Tournament Disputes subcommittee will be organised to address any disputes during and after the tournament. This subcommittee will consist of one member from each of the Referee and Coaching Councils and the Executive Board. Any dispute or concern after the event must be submitted in an email to admin@karatenz.org.nz, and it will be dealt with in a timely manner.

TOURNAMENT ORGANISING COMMITTEE:

For general inquiries, please email kcrawford@karatenz.org.nz

Otherwise, email C/- secretary.coachingcouncil@karatenz.org.nz