Est. 1968   -   A brief history

The Chinese Martial Arts association was established in 1968 in Wellington by a group of Chinese martial artists whose objective was to share knowledge and train on a regular basis.  The first training sessions were held at the back of a fruit shop in Hataitai.  The School was led by Sifu Bill Young with whom it has become synonymous.

Chinese Martial Arts Association, Circa 1970.
Front centre: Sifu Bill Young, to his right Sifu Stan Chun, Front right: Sifu Peter Sue

Sifu Bill was born and grew up in mainland China in the 1930s. At a very young age he was stricken with Polio which left him crippled in one leg.  Practicing kung-fu with his uncles assisted Sifu Bill to overcome this difficulty.

In 1956 he arrived in NZ with his family and settled in Nelson.  Here Sifu Bill continued the “eagle claw” style of kung-fu practiced by his family and being an avid learner and a firm believer in learning all types of martial art, Sifu Bill also studied Judo, Karate and Aikido.  While in Nelson he opened a Judo and Kung Fu club.  During these years many Chinese and Japanese fishing boats visited NZ. Some of the sailors on these boats were masters of various Kung Fu styles including Hung Gar, White Crane and Praying Mantis.  Always welcome to practice in Sifu Bill’s school these masters shared their knowledge with Sifu and other high ranking students.In 1968 Sifu Bill settled in Wellington and together with a group of Chinese martial artists formed the Chinese Mu-Sut Association also known as the “Chinese Martial Arts Association”.  The club was often referred to as “the old men’s club” and had an almost exclusive Chinese student base.  Initially the school was located at the back of a fruit shop in Hataitai and soon thereafter it moved to a small room adjacent to the zoo where, as the story goes, the animals would join in with the student’s KIAIs providing vocal encouragement!  After some non-Chinese New Zealanders learned of the existence of the club the membership of the club increased which necessitated a move to larger premises.  The club was then relocated to the Hall of the All Saints Church in Hataitai.

In the early 70’s the Bruce Lee phenomenon together with Chinese martial arts movies caused student numbers at the club to expand to such an extent that the Hall could hardly contain them, on occasion it accommodated more than 70 students. Over the years many well known NZ Martial Artists started or were in some way associated with the school.

In the 37 year history of the school approximately 2000 students have joined.  Frome these students a total of 19 students have attained the black belt rank.  The first students to receive a black belt were in the late 60’s these were: Sifu Stan Chun followed by Sifu Peter Sue.  Sifu Peter Sue went on to open a branch of the club in TAWA which he operated with Dai-Sihing Ronnie Young for 2-3 years.  Sifu Stan opened a Tai Chi school which he still operates in Wellington.  Although committed to their business ventures Sifu Stan, Sifu Peter and Dai-Sihing Ronnie continued to assist with training and grading students at the club.

Sifu Bill passed away in 1990 and the club passed to be run by Sihings Kevin Wong, Stan Lytras, Jay Parsotam and Russell Milne.  Sifu Peter and Dai-Sihing Ronnie continued to assist in training senior students in the club while Sifu Stan, committed to running his Tai Chi school, continued as a source of inspiration and support for the club.

In 1995 the school was relocated to its current location at the “Chinese Anglican Mission” hall on Glenmore Street, opposite the Wellington Botanic gardens.

The current syllabus, which has not changed greatly in 37 years, includes forms, theory and principles from:  Shotokan and Goju-ryu karate, Judo and Hung Gar 5 animal form kung fu.  In advanced levels weapons various other Chinese styles and further Shotokan forms are taught.  Although at various times students have been involved in tournaments and competitions with significant success, the focus of the school remains the traditional martial arts philosophy, technique refinement and self-defence.

Sifu Peter is the main source of a plethora of traditional Chinese forms including, Shaolin, Hung Gar, North and South Praying Mantis, sword and staff forms etc.  Sifu Peter is also very well versed with resuscitation techniques, acupressure massage and Dim Mak.

Mrs Melissa Chan, a former 1980’s south China forms champion and Wushu judge has taught selected forms and principles to senior members of the school including the Tiger-Crane form, Tai Chi competition forms etc.  For people interested in Chinese forms training, Melissa holds training classes at the “Martial Arts Supplies” premises in Courtenay Place, Wellington.

Today the school operates at the “Chinese Anglican Mission hall” on Glenmore Street, opposite the Botanic gardens every Tuesday and Thursday 6.00-7.30pm.  Each year during December and January the school is closed for holidays.