Name: Dave Gardiner
Rank: 3rd degree black belt NZFMA
Teaching rank: Sensei.
Age: 36
Martial arts Experience:
1979: Kokyushinkai karate
1980: Wrestling
1987: started training with Zen Do Kai (Napier) until I:
1990: Changed to NZFMA
1993: Moved to Otane and started a dojo
2003: Still training
Martial Arts Attitude:
I was brought up in a family of seven children, with three older brothers and physical exercise came naturally. 2 of my older brothers had trained in different martial arts styles and I naturally became intrigued and then involved. Having spent my childhood doing gymnastics I found that martial arts was not much different: both involved physical and mental control, strength of mind and body and continuous practise to try and get just a little bit better. Martial Arts has helped evolve my students and myself: what I gain now from Martial Arts has changed since the time I started, sometimes doing a full circle and starting as a beginner again. I don not want to create any ‘followers’, only ‘Masters’.
Other: I am happily married to Helene and we have 1 son and 3 daughters. I am employed by the Ministry of Education as a Truancy Officer. I love working with children and value life and what it has to offer.