Hall of Martial Arts Taumarunui

Welcome to Hall of Martial Arts Taumarunui, the premier destination for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts in the Heart of the Manawatū. Located in Taumarunui, New Zealand, our facility provides a dedicated, purpose-built space where the community comes together to train, grow, and thrive. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for people of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels to explore the transformative power of martial arts.

At the helm of our academy is our owner and head coach, Lara Dempsey, a highly experienced practitioner with over a decade of dedication to martial arts. Holding a Nidan black belt in Shinjokai Karate-Do and currently training as a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Tau Thompson, Lara brings world-class expertise to our dojo. Her journey includes training with global champions such as Yuri Simões and Josh Saunders, as well as competing at an international level, earning silver medals at the IBJJF Asian Open and ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials. Lara’s coaching philosophy is rooted in patience, respect, and continuous personal development, ensuring every student receives personalized attention and guidance.

We specialize in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), a martial art that emphasizes technical skill, problem-solving, and leverage over brute strength. Our curriculum is designed to cater to a wide range of goals, whether you are looking to improve your fitness, build confidence, learn effective self-defense, or pursue competitive success. We offer specialized classes for different demographics:

For Kids and Juniors: We provide engaging classes for Mini Grapplers (ages 4–6), Junior Grapplers (ages 6–12), and a dedicated competition team for those ready to take their training to the next level. Our youth programs focus on building discipline, coordination, resilience, and respect in a fun and supportive atmosphere.

For Adults and Teens: Our adult classes welcome everyone from absolute beginners to advanced grapplers. Classes for teens and adults (13+) focus on technical development, fitness, and self-defense. We also offer a Women’s Only session, providing a comfortable and empowering space for female practitioners to train and connect.

Beyond the mats, Hall of Martial Arts Taumarunui is a hub for community connection. We believe that martial arts are about more than just physical technique; they are a tool for building character, fostering friendships, and enhancing overall well-being. Our members often speak of the strong sense of camaraderie and the supportive family-like atmosphere that defines our gym.

Whether you are new to martial arts or an experienced grappler looking for a high-quality training environment in Taumarunui, we invite you to join us. We offer a free one-week trial so you can experience our classes firsthand. Come discover the physical and mental benefits of Jiu-Jitsu in a friendly, professional, and clean facility.

Hall of Martial Arts Taumarunui: Reviews

4.9/5 (7 Reviews)

Reviews are the opinions of their authors. We do not verify that the author was a customer.

鑫夏 Published on 2 years ago

Fantastic experience: The faculty is always clean, Lara is the bomb!!! Fantastic teacher, always friendly, and fun to be around. Jiu-jitsu happens every Monday and Thursdays, 100% recommend.

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Hall of Martial Arts Taumarunui

Thank you for your review Tony! It's great to have you in class.

Tyrone Pakau Published on 2 years ago

Fantastic experience: Amazing setup, done really professionally and super clean would rate it a 10/5

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Hall of Martial Arts Taumarunui

Thank you for the review Tyrone!

Katie A Published on 2 years ago

Fantastic experience: Had my first class last week and loved it! Will be back for more!

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Hall of Martial Arts Taumarunui

I'm glad you enjoyed your first class, see you at your next training!

info Plateau lodge Published on 3 years ago

Fantastic experience: Its been our home sport for our family for 8 years. Both kids love going highly recommend

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Hall of Martial Arts Taumarunui

We love having your family as a part of our family. Thank you for your review!

Julie Shaw Published on 3 years ago

Fantastic experience: Beautiful venue and excellent quality of teaching. Very welcoming and a huge asset to the community. Great work Sensei Lara, thank you!

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Hall of Martial Arts Taumarunui

Thank you for your support over the last few years. Your words are really appreciated

daniel russell Published on 3 years ago

Fantastic experience: Its fun a good place to practice lara is kind and adaptive of the people to works with. The space it open and comfortable.

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Hall of Martial Arts Taumarunui

Thank you for your words Daniel. It's great having your family as part of the team.

Helen Carroll Published on 3 years ago

Positive experience: Love this place for Tai Chi..only negative..floor not compliant.

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Hall of Martial Arts Taumarunui

Hi Helen,Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.We appreciate your feedback. Interesting comment about the floor as it is high quality mats which are made for Martial Arts practice and there is an alternative room with a hard floor if needed. All the best with your Tai Chi journey!

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