About Us

Kikusui Kai Tomiki Aikido New Zealand is the New Zealand branch of the United Kingdom Kikusui Kai, founded by Senta Yamada in 1959 at the London Judo Society.

John Waite was Senta Yamada’s senior Judo and Aikido student in the UK. He currently holds a 7th Dan in Aikido with the British Aikido Association (BAA), a 7th Dan in Aikido with the Japan Aikido Association (JAA), and a 5th Dan in Judo with the British Judo Association. John now runs an Aikido club at two venues in Marangi Bay in Auckland. John is the senior Tomiki Aikido instructor in New Zealand.

Pepi Waite began studying Aikido as a secondary school student in London. She currently holds a 4th Dan with the Japan Aikido Association (JAA).