Profile - Mr Kane Raukura

by Courtney Meleisea, 3rd gup
Dragons Spirit Taekwon-Do, Papatoetoe

	The fantastic Dragons Spirit Black Team! - Mission Bay, 2004.

What year and how old were you when you started Taekwon-Do?

I started Taekwon-Do in 1989 while I was in form five at De La Salle College - I think I was about 16 at the time. My brother had always wanted to do a martial art so I tagged along for the ride. When we arrived at the hall I saw a close friend from school walk through the door, he had never informed me that he did Taekwon-Do. I hid behind my mum and watched. At that moment, I decided if he could do it, so could I! Since then I have never looked back.

At what club did you start, and who was your instructor?

My instructor was the talented Mr Sam Clark, who was an inspiration and extremely supportive of me as I went through the ranks. As well as being my instructor, over time he became my friend and mentor. I was lucky to have fluked walking through his particular dojang door – Papatoetoe Taekwon-Do. This has been my first and only club, now Dragons Spirit Taekwon-Do.

When did you receive your first dan black belt?

I received my first dan during my first year of university – it was either late 1991 or early 1992. Mr Clark just approached me one night at training and said, “You’re going for black belt in three months! Better start getting ready!” It was a huge buzz in those days, there just weren’t as many black belts around. It really was like belonging to an exclusive club. My examiners were Master McPhail and Master Davidson, who were only 4th degrees at the time.

Top: Mr Raukura and Mr Bruce Harrison, Sports Expo demonstration. Bottom: proud instructor with two students to the Junior World Championships.

When did you start instructing and at which club?

I started instructing as soon as I gained my black belt at Papatoetoe Taekwon-Do. We were a large club and it was all hands on deck! Due to work commitments Mr Clark slowly had to withdraw from training, and after working heavily with two other old names in Counties Manukau Taekwon-Do, Mr Steve Siegel and Mr Ben Edwards, I became the instructor. I was filling large shoes and at the beginning it was quite daunting.

What are some of your biggest Taekwon-Do achievements?

I think everyone’s first and foremost must be gaining their 1st dan black belt, but for me it has always been gaining my stripes! Ever since I saw the legendary Mr Peter Graham walk through our dojang door on a club visit, I knew that was what I wanted. So last year in August, I successfully tested for 4th and my largest achievement in Taekwon-Do was realised. I have never been tournament oriented but I have kept busy:

• Appeared on TV three times for ITFNZ. The Good Morning Show with Mary Lambie, Trading Places, and on Studio 2.
• Instructor of the Year 2004.
• Club of the Year 2004.
• Standards and Discipline Committee member for three years.

What is the highlight of your Taekwon-Do career?

For me as a person, my biggest highlight was gaining 4th dan, but as an Instructor my biggest highlight was when the first students I had trained from white belt graded to 1st dan.

What is your most embarrassing Taekwon-Do moment?

Well, I have turned up to Sunday training three years in a row and wondered where everyone is and have cursed about how lazy they all are. Trained for about an hour myself, started heading out the door to see someone pull up to the dojang. It is about at this time that I realise once again that I have missed putting my clock forward for daylight savings.

	Mr Raukura and Dragons Spirit demonstration team members - Hunters Plaza Papatoetoe 2005.

What are your personal goals for the future?

To continue to grow Dragons Spirit Taekwon-Do and to provide its members with as many opportunities as possible. To keep training myself, to keep grading as this provides a personal challenge, and to support ITFNZ and its standing within the community. I would also like to become an examiner one day.

What are your goals for the future of ITFNZ Taekwon-Do?

Hopefully to see the public recognising ITF Taekwon-Do as truly unique and for ITFNZ to one day have a national headquarters. My personal dream for ITFNZ in Counties Manukau is for our region to one day have a central base also.

Which active Taekwon-Do practitioner do you most admire and why?

That's a really difficult question as there are so many amazing practitioners. A person who stands out in my mind though is Mr Mahesh Bhana, the Instructor of Eastern ITF in Auckland. I believe he truly embodies the tenets and is always extremely generous with his time and knowledge. I admire him for his technical ability and devotion to ITF Taekwon-Do.

In your view how has Taekwon-Do changed in NZ in the last few years?

With the passing of our founder I feel that we have become more passionate about our martial art and more concerned with staying true to his life’s work. I also believe, that as we compete more on the world stage, we are creating a solid reputation as being up there with the world’s best.

	Two board suspended punch, club Christmas celebrations, Wenderholm Regional Park.

What are your favourite hand technique and foot technique?

My favourite hand technique is a knife-hand side strike and foot technique would be a 360 degree flying back piercing kick.

What do you think makes a good Taekwon-Do practitioner?

All of the tenets are important, but out of the five believe the most pertinent is perseverance. Life has a habit of constantly throwing challenges our way; we can do one of two things. Firstly, let the obstacle prove insurmountable and stumble forward, or secondly, rise to the challenge and walk upright onto greater things. As with life, Taekwon-Do relects this; all great practitioners of Taekwon-Do have bravely met their own personal challenges and are still here after many long years.