About Us
Tiger Taekwon-Do opened in 1985 at Palmerston North Boys’ High School. Mr Mike Lowe is the owner and Instructor.
Our club currently comprises mostly tamariki from four to 13 years, together with a few mātua.
Ākonga train with us for reasons including having fun, learning self-defence, developing self-confidence and getting fit.
In addition, we educate our ākonga about values such as courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.
Ākonga are regularly offered opportunities to grade and advance their belt rank.
For ākonga with a competitive streak, there are opportunities to compete at regional, national and international levels.
Our members also participate in various seminars and camps.
International Taekwon-Do
Tiger Taekwon-Do is a member of the International Taekwon-Do Foundation of New Zealand Inc (ITKD). ITKD is a network of over 50 schools nationwide.
Our Purpose
ITKD teaches International Taekwon-Do, the sport, martial art, way of life and tool for social development, according to the legacy of General Choi Hong Hi.
Our Vision
Inspiring lives through the art of Taekwon-Do.
Our mission is based on the following values:
- the philosophy and moral culture of the founder, General Choi Hong Hi
- preserving the art of the original Taekwon-Do, and its quality
- operating on a non-profit basis, for the benefit of our members
- peace, community, and family
- the Tenets of Taekwon-Do:
- courtesy
respect for all people and all cultures;
to live according to etiquette - integrity
not to compromise our teaching quality or standards - perseverance
to pursue our vision - self control
our actions for ITFNZ will be for the good of the ITFNZ - indomitable spirit
to stand against adversity in the pursuit of our vision.
- courtesy
Our Instructor
Tēnā koutou katoa
Greetings to you all
Ko Hainamana toku tupuna
My ancestry is Chinese
engari
but
Ko Tāmaki Makaurau te whenua tupu
I was born in Auckland
Ko Te Papaioea te kāinga
My home is in Palmerston North
Ko kaiako kairīwhi ahau i Te Kura Tuarua mo Ngā Tamatāne o Te Papaioea
I am a relieving teacher at Palmerston North Boys’ High School
Ko Lowe tōku whānau
Lowe is my family
Ko Michael tōku ingoa
My name is Michael
Tēnā tātou katoa
Greetings to one and all
- At a Glance
- 1974 February began training at Massey University Taekwon-Do Club under Mr Chin Wong
- 1977 October 4, promotion to I Degree, ATA 50
- 1978 became Instructor at the Massey University Taekwon-Do Club
- 1981 commenced duties as registered teacher of science and biology, Palmerston North Boys' High School
- 1982 March 18 , promotion to II Degree, JDK 19
- 1985 opened Tiger Taekwon-Do at Palmerston North Boys' High School
- 1987 July 11, promotion to III Degree, MY 20
- Current instructor of ITFNZ Instructor Induction Course
- 1993 October 4, promotion to IV Degree (No. 4-5)
- 2005 November 12, inducted into the New Zealand Martial Arts Hall of Fame
- Past Regional Director of ITFNZ and member of the ITFNZ Technical Committee
- 2016 January 29, promotion to V Degree (No. 5-20)
- 2022 July 2, promotion to VI Degree (ITF-NZ-6-27)
- 2023 January, retired from full-time secondary school teaching
- 2023 Member of ITFNZ Education Committee
My Origins
Joining the Massey University Taekwon-Do Club under Mr Chin Wong’s instruction marked the beginning of my journey. Despite changes in leadership, I thrived in the club, and when faced with the choice of its continuity, stepped up to become its instructor.
Instructing became a self-discovery voyage, influenced by various instructors, initially Master Young-Ku Yun. Over four decades, I’ve witnessed the transformation of my instructing style, blending skills from both school teaching and Taekwon-Do.
Retired from full-time school teaching, I continue instructing because it’s in my nature. The transition from school teaching to Taekwon-Do instructing has been seamless, each enhancing the other. Instructing gives me purpose, a chance to contribute to the community, and an opportunity to share my accumulated skills and values.
Remaining a Taekwon-Do instructor after more than 40 years presents challenges. However, my commitment to staying fit and mentally strong mirrors the ideals of Taekwon-Do. Embracing physical limitations as motivation, I find joy in daily movement, whether through walking, gym workouts, or Taekwon-Do training.
Instructing keeps me feeling alive and valued. Beyond personal benefits, I enjoy teaching not only my students but other instructors too. Continuous self-evaluation is ingrained, driving a commitment to constant change and improvement in my club. My aim is to provide a transformative experience for all members and becoming the best in the business.
My interest in te ao Māori adds another dimension to my Taekwon-Do journey. Incorporating the use of te reo Māori and tikanga in the club aims to help revitalise the language and culture, and uplift the mana of the Rangitāne iwi.
Lastly, my involvement in our national organisation’s education committee allows me to share 42 years’ worth of pedagogy, enhancing Taekwon-Do instruction throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
In summary, my Taekwon-Do journey, sparked by kung fu movies, has evolved into a lifelong commitment to instructing, self-improvement, and contribution to the community.
My Vision
The vision which I have for my students is that of a peaceful warrior. This male or female is trained in the art of combat but does not actively seek to fight. The peaceful warrior is strong, formidable and then peaceful, in that order.
A strong warrior possesses physical and mental strength. Physical strength is linked to great mobility–joints that are strong, flexible and stable. Mental strength is related to strength of character: having courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit.
One who possesses physical and mental strength is a formidable person. A formidable person’s physical appearance, demeanour, and character may command fear or respect, and once this state has been achieved then there is no need to fight.
Taekwon-Do is the perfect exemplar of the paradox of martial arts: we train Taekwon-Do so that we will never use it.
My Values
The essence of what we aim to instill in our students is called the Tenets of Taekwon-Do. These values serve as the foundation of our training and play a pivotal role in shaping not only our students’ martial arts skills but also their character and outlook on life. They are the mental strengths required of the peaceful warrior.
Courtesy
At the core of our practice is courtesy. It encompasses respect, politeness, and consideration for others. By embodying courtesy, our students learn to treat their peers, instructors, and everyone they encounter with kindness and dignity. It fosters a positive and harmonious training environment where mutual respect flourishes.
Integrity
Integrity forms the backbone of our teachings. It means being honest, principled, and upholding moral values even when faced with challenges. Through practising integrity, our students cultivate trustworthiness and accountability, essential qualities that extend far beyond the dojang and into all aspects of their lives.
Perseverance
Taekwon-Do teaches us the importance of perseverance–the determination to keep going even when faced with difficulties or setbacks. Whether its mastering a new technique or overcoming personal obstacles, perseverance empowers our students to push through adversity and reach their full potential. It instills resilience and a never-give-up attitude that will serve them well in all their endeavours.
Self-Control
In my mind, this is what Tolkien refers to as the one ring to rule them all. Central to martial arts training is the cultivation of self-control. It involves discipline, restraint, and the ability to regulate one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions. Through practising self-control, our students learn to harness their energy constructively, make wise choices, and maintain composure even in challenging situations. It empowers them to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively, fostering emotional intelligence and maturity.
Indomitable Spirit
Finally, we instill in our students the concept of indomitable spirit–the unwavering determination and courage to face obstacles head-on and never succumb to defeat. It is about embracing challenges with resilience, maintaining a positive attitude, and striving for excellence in all endeavours. Indomitable spirit fuels our students’ passion for learning and growth, empowering them to overcome adversity and emerge stronger and more resilient individuals.
Mātua are encouraged to support and reinforce these values at home which greatly complements the lessons taught in our Taekwon-Do school. By encouraging ākonga to embody courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit both on and off the floor, the club and whānau plays an integral role in their holistic development as martial artists and as individuals.
I value the opportunity to nurture not only students’ physical skills but also the values and virtues that will shape them into confident, respectful, and resilient individuals.
Our Team
Gina Oliver
Tēnā koutou katoa
Greetings to you all
He Pākeha ahau nō Aotearoa
I am a New Zealand European
engari
but
Ko Heretaunga te whenua tupu
I was born in Hastings
Kei Te Maire me Taitoko toku kainga
My home is in Shannon and Levin
Kei au e noho ana Te Papaioea
I am living in Palmerston North
He kaiwhakangungu whaiaro ahua, he tauira hoki
I am a personal trainer and model
Ko Oliver tōku whānau
My family is Oliver
Ko Gina tokū ingoa
My name is Gina
Tēnā tātou katoa
Thankyou all
Gina assists with instruction in our Mini Kids and Junior Plus classes.
Ian Yen
Tēnā koutou katoa
Greetings to you all
Ko Taiwanese toku tupuna
My ancestry is Taiwanese
engari
but
Ko Te Papaioea te whenua tupu
I was born in Palmerston North
Ko Te Papaioea te kāinga
Palmerston North is my
home
Ko kaiawhina hokohoko ahua i Te Papaioea
I am a retail assistant in Palmerston North
Ko Yen tōku whānau
My family is McIntyre
Ko Ian tokū ingoa
My name is Ian
Tēnā tātou katoa
Thankyou all
Ian assists with instruction in our Mini Kids and Junior Plus classes.
Millissa McIntyre
Tēnā koutou katoa
Greetings to you all
He Pākeha ahau nō Aotearoa
I am a New Zealand European
engari
but
Ko Aorangi te whenua tupu
Feilding is where I grew up
Ko Te Papaioea te kāinga
Palmerston North is my
home
Ko ahau te Kaiwhakahaere Kaiawhina i te Roopu Koura me te Pango
I am the Assistant Manager at Gold & Black Group.
Ko McIntyre tōku whānau
My family is McIntyre
Ko Millissa tokū ingoa
My name is Millissa
Tēnā tātou katoa
Thankyou all
Whaea Millissa assists with instruction in our Kubz, Mini Kids and Junior Plus classes.
Hamish Lunn
Tēnā koutou katoa
Greetings to you all
He Pākeha ahau nō Aotearoa
I am a New Zealand European
engari
but
Ko Te Papaioea te kāinga
Palmerston North is my home
He ākonga ahau ki te Kura Tuarua mo Ngā Tama Tāne o Te
Papaioea
I am student at Palmerston North Boys’ High School
Ko Lunn tokū whānau
My family is Lunn
Ko Hamish tōku ingoa
My name is Hamish
Tēnā tātou katoa
Thankyou all
Pā Hamish assists with the instruction of our Kubz, Mini Kids and Junior Plus classes.
Cindy Carroll
Tēnā koutou katoa
Greetings to you all
He tangata Maraeia Hainamana ahau nō Aotearoa
I am a Malaysian-Chinese New Zealander
engari
but
Ko Mareia te whenua tupu
Malaysia is where I grew up
Ko Te Papaioea te kāinga
Palmerston North is my home
He tohunga hauora ahua
I am a health professional
Ko Carroll tōku whānau
My family is Carroll
Ko Cindy tokū ingoa
My name is Cindy
Tēnā tātou katoa
Thankyou all
Whaea Cindy is our club’s Relationship Liaison. Her role is to promote effective communication and co-operation in our whānau. She can be reached at lyresh@hotmail.com
Testimonials
We chose Mike Lowe as our childrens’ martial arts instructor as he taught my husband Taekwon-Do when he was younger and he was and still is a very respected and upstanding man. In a world where you need to be able to trust the people you choose to interact with your children, for us there was no other option. A lifetime of teaching High School students makes him very relatable he has the patience of a saint whilst still running a structured and efficient class.
Mike is a 6th Dan international black belt, so we feel incredibly lucky to have someone so talented and skilled teaching our children.
We love that the club is multigenerational with a mix of children and adults of all ages that supports healthy relationships between adults and children alike.
Our children have developed a great sense of morals and a greater understanding of the type of people they want to become with the tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. They have pushed themselves to be better and do better and not give up when the going gets tough.
It would be hard to find an instructor more dedicated than Mike. He likes to set his students up for success by providing quality teaching, and has always been available before or after lessons if my children needed to ask any specific questions, or for one on one demonstration for anything they are struggling to grasp.
Overall, Mike is an inspiration to everyone he comes in contact with and we feel very privileged to be a part of his club.
Joanna and Jason
My daughter joined Kubz just after turning five and has been learning Taekwon-Do for over a year. She has enjoyed it immensely and looks forward to it each week.
Mr Lowe’s instruction is a well-rounded balance of Taekwon-Do techniques and principles, taught through games, drills and discussion. Mr Lowe and his assistant instructors demonstrate a high level of patience and skill in their management of the class.
The kids learn useful tools to support their navigation through tricky situations in school and in life. I was grateful to see my daughter become more confident in dealing with a school bully who sometimes became physical with her. Taekwon- Do helped her to assert herself and establish boundaries to gain better control over the situation.
The kids in her class are a range of ages, sizes, skill levels and personalities. They quickly learn that Taekwon-Do is for everyone and they learn from each other as well as the adults.
My daughter will graduate to the older kids’ class in a few months, and I have no doubt that she will take on the next challenge with confidence. Kubz has been a great introduction to the martial arts environment, and I look forward to seeing the continued benefits to my little girl.
Rosemary
The journey with Tiger Taekwon-Do for my son has been remarkable. The instructors’ dedication to excellence in instruction ensures a top-notch learning experience, refining both his technique and understanding of the art. Beyond mastering kicks and punches, the positive impact of training radiates into every aspect of his life, instilling discipline, resilience, and self-confidence. The atmosphere at Tiger Taekwon-Do is incredibly supportive, fostering camaraderie among students and providing unwavering encouragement from instructors. We are grateful to be part of such an empowering community.
Steve & Monica
My son has been attending Tiger Taekwondo for five years or so now and has been enjoying the training and the learning very much indeed. Mr. Lowe is an outstanding teacher and communicator and always provides a healthy mix of disciplined and fun activities within the club. The students focus not only on the development of physical skills and aptitude but also on mental and ethical competence. There is also a strong and respectful emphasis on cultural awareness and team work such that rounded and increasingly confident individuals may emerge.
Mr. Lowe’s experience and determination to maintain the highest standards of tuition are also evident in the training methods undertaken by students. He is constantly seeking to finesse and broaden the approach adopted and pushes the students forward into new areas of learning – areas which, again, involve physical, moral, and cultural skills.
To speak particularly to this element of innovation and expansion, in the past year or so there has been a very positive integration of tikanga Māori and te reo into the training and the culture of the club. This provides an excellent and enlightened complement to the Korean dimension of Taekwon-Do, which is never forgotten.
I feel that with Mr. Lowe’s steady, affirmative, and energetic guidance my son is continuously expanding his horizons, in terms of the martial art itself, the ethical skills built into Taekwon-Do, and his social identity as a citizen of 21st century Aotearoa New Zealand.
Mark
Emily has been attending Taekwon-Do since the age of four and has really taken the training on board. It has helped her grow her confidence, fitness and strength. The instructors are very knowledgeable and extremely patient with the young ones, forming a very inclusive environment. She has found the progression through the levels really rewarding and has learnt many good life lessons during the process. Taekwon-Do is something I highly recommend to anyone I talk to.
Jennifer
We just want to write a letter of thanks to yourself and to all the teachers that have helped with Ruben in his Taekwon-Do journey. We have seen great progress with Ruben since he has been in this class. His listening skills have improved and Ruben has taken on board what he has learnt from class into his day to day activities i.e. safety with strangers, bullying and also fire safety.
Ruben loves Taekwon-Do. The basic skills and training have given him enormous confidence in himself, and he has gained new friends along the way.
We always look forward to Taekwon-Do lessons.
Andrew and Cherri
I highly recommend Tiger Taekwon-Do!
Our kaiako Mr Lowe is incredible and very patient, particularly with the little ones. The classes are fun and engaging.
My daughter joined in 2018, starting with the Kubz and currently is a green belt. She loves going to classes and it is now part of her routine. We initially enrolled her to learn self-defence, but she has learned so much more including self-discipline, focus and the value of hard work. As parents we appreciate how she also demonstrates these attitudes at home and school.
Freddie and Loyd
Tiger Taekwon-Do has grown from one kid and a sideline parent to both kids and the parent taking part. This is a very inclusive club and has been a natural extension to our family values. It has helped to grow self-confidence and a better understanding of ourselves and how we act. It has accelerated personal growth and is a highlight of our week. It is a great addition to our family, and we would encourage anyone thinking about it to give it a try.
From the kids: “Its the max! It has been so fun and there are lots of things to learn.”
Joel
Mr Lowe isn’t just teaching Taekwon-Do; he’s sculpting model citizens. Through his unwavering commitment to discipline and perseverance, he’s instilling invaluable qualities in our boys that extend far beyond the martial arts studio. It’s inspiring to witness how the teachers at Tiger Taekwon-Do not only impart physical skills but also nurture the resilience and determination needed to succeed in all aspects of life. It’s a safe and friendly place to learn self defence for people of all ages and ethnicities.
Gulab