The History of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in New Zealand
From a room above a West Auckland laundromat to a nationwide community. New Zealand BJJ started considerably smaller than it looks today.
The history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in New Zealand began far more quietly than many people might expect. In 1990 the art was still virtually unknown here, with no large academy network or established competition scene behind it. What followed was a gradual spread from a small group of practitioners into the nationwide BJJ community we know today. This is the story of those early beginnings and some of the people who helped establish the art in Aotearoa.
1990: When Did BJJ Come to New Zealand?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu first arrived in New Zealand in 1990, when Lindolfo Collar became the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt teaching in the country. At the time, there were no dedicated BJJ academies, no structured competition pathways, and very little public awareness of the art. Training was informal, technical, and focused entirely on learning rather than growth or recognition.
This moment marks the true starting point in the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in New Zealand.
A Room Above a Laundromat in West Auckland
According to Dion Teau, one of the original students, the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training space in New Zealand was located above a laundromat in Henderson, West Auckland, directly opposite Bruce McLaren Intermediate School.
The setting reflected the early spirit of BJJ worldwide — humble, improvised, and focused purely on training. There were no branded mats, no merchandise, and no commercial ambition. It was simply a small group of people learning a new martial art from the ground up.
The First Five Students and the Foundations of NZ BJJ
Under Coach Lindolfo Collar, five original students trained during this early period:
- Dion Teau
- Karl Webber
- Steven Oliver
- Christopher Easley
- One unnamed student
These practitioners formed the foundation of BJJ growth in New Zealand. Training was intensive, personal, and built on direct instruction rather than formal systems. Importantly, all of these original students eventually became black belts, a testament to the long-term commitment and depth of training that characterised early New Zealand BJJ.
From Five Black Belts to a National Community
From those beginnings, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gradually spread throughout New Zealand. Knowledge passed from student to student, often through cross-training in grappling, MMA, and other martial arts. Over time, dedicated academies emerged, competitions became more structured, and the number of practitioners grew steadily.
Today, New Zealand has many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts across the country. As with any growing martial art, the quality and teaching styles vary, but the sheer number reflects how far the art has come since its modest beginnings above a laundromat in West Auckland.
John Danaher and New Zealand’s Global Influence
John Danaher is widely regarded as the most internationally recognised Kiwi black belt, known for his analytical approach and influence on modern competitive grappling. While Danaher built much of his career overseas, his success highlights how New Zealand BJJ culture has produced practitioners capable of shaping the sport well beyond its borders.
For further background, see his biography on Wikipedia :
John Danaher (martial artist) – Wikipedia
From local history to the world stage
New Zealand’s grappling story now reaches major international events. Our ADCC Trials recap covers a historic moment for Kiwi competitors.
Read the ADCC Trials RecapThe New Zealand BJJ Culture Today
New Zealand Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has developed its own identity — practical, understated, and focused on skill earned over time. The culture values mat time over shortcuts, respect for lineage, and long-term development rather than rapid promotion. These traits can be traced directly back to the earliest days of training in small rooms with no expectation of recognition.
Conclusion: Small Beginnings, Lasting Impact
From one Brazilian black belt, five students, and a room above a laundromat, the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in New Zealand has grown into a nationwide community with global influence. The journey reflects the values that continue to define New Zealand BJJ today: humility, persistence, and the belief that skill is earned, not given.
