Nam Wah Pai Kung Fu was
established in Singapore in 1964 with a
mix of Tai Chi Chuan, Sing Yi, Pa Kua, Wu Jiao & Northern
Shaolin Art. There are currently Nam Wah Pai branches throughout the
world including Singapore (World Head Quarters), Malaysia, New Zealand,
Taiwan, Germany, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, and Japan.
The current World Chief
Instructor Grand Master Sim Poh Huat, 10th Degree Gold Belt, has been
leading Nam Wah Pai for over thirty years.
Master Steve Kitson founded Nam Wah Pai in New Zealand in 1979. At the
time of his death in 1989, he was ranked 7th degree Black Belt, and in
addition to being New Zealand Chief Instructor was also Deputy Chief
Instructor for World Nam Wah Pai. Master Kitson is recognised as one of
New Zealand's greatest martial artists. Nam Wah Pai is a Chinese style
martial art (kung fu), incorporating a very sophisticated and modern
method of self defence designed by Master Kitson.
The current New Zealand Chief Instructor is Dr Jarrod Haar, 7th Degree
Black Belt who accepted the role of Chief Instructor in 2000 after the
retirement of Dennis O'Connor, 5th Degree Black Belt. Master Haar was
elected on to the World Nam Wah Pai Central Committee, which oversees
the development of Nam Wah Pai worldwide.
There are currently three New Zealand Deputy Chief Instructors:
- Brian Barnett 5th Degree
Black Belt
- Nigel MacDonald 5th Degree
Black Belt
- Brian Lee 5th Degree Black
Belt
- Brian Barnett 5th Degree Black Belt
- Nigel MacDonald 5th Degree Black Belt
- Brian Lee 5th Degree Black Belt