Please Note: We will endeavour to complete the competition on Saturday, hence why the cut-off date for entry is earlier to ensure we can complete the draws and timetable in a timely manner. Kindly be advised that this information is subject to updates as we advance toward the tournament. For the most recent updates, please refer to the footer for the latest records. While Sportdata may not reflect these updates, this serves as the official notification regarding the proceedings.

Clubs submit entry requests to ensure members compete under the correct affiliation, facilitating fair draws by keeping teammates apart whenever feasible. Individual athlete registrations without club affiliation have been confused in the past. After receiving entry confirmation, clubs can register their players.

Premier grades for Cadet, Junior, U21, Senior and Veterans – age on 6th June 2025; to assist with the selections for the 2025 Oceania Championships and Cup competitions. The Para Kata category will also be based on the competitor's age on 6th June 2025.

Please consult the draw and timetable on the Sportdata website for final times closer to the tournament when competitor numbers are confirmed.

Provisional:

Saturday 29th March:          Premier competitions - Bow in at 8:45 am

We will endeavour to complete the tournament on Saturday. With clubs and athlete support, this can happen.

A delegate from each club must complete all entries and payments. When paying entry fees by Internet banking, please note that the payment is for NZ Cup. 

Individual competitors do not permit payment; clubs pay as a single combined payment. Refunds, if required, will be paid back to Clubs.

COACH AND REFEREE REGISTRATION:

• All coaches must be registered on Sportdata. No unauthorised persons will be allowed on the tatami at any time. The coach's photo must be current as a headshot (shoulders and above) without hoodies covering the head.

• All referees must be registered on Sportdata. The referee's photo must be current and a headshot (shoulders and above).

• Registered coaches should be able to practice First Aid and be aware of the signs of concussion. More information can be found here.

• Coaches must successfully complete the ONLINE COACHES EXAMINATION to be able to sit in the chair for their athletes. A number of coaches passed this in 2024; no need to resit. Lanyards will be provided for new coaches. These lanyards are a necessity to wear when sitting in an athlete's chair.

NZ Cup - Individual Entry     (Fees for the first individual event as below; plus $10 per additional individual event) 

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE ENTERED ONLINE IN SPORTDATA VIA YOUR CLUB INSTRUCTOR OR DESIGNATED PERSON. Whoever registers the athletes for their club in Sportdata is responsible for informing players, coaches, instructors, parents, and supporters of the Terms and Conditions | Health and Safety | Code of Conduct as written in the disclaimer - this can be seen in the DISCLAIMER. Each club is responsible for making its athletes aware of the contents of the DISCLAIMER.

• All entries, players, coaches and referees must be entered on Sportdata by 6:00 pm SATURDAY 8th MARCH 2025. NO LATE REGISTRATIONS BY CLUBS NEED TO BE ACCEPTED by the Tournament Organising Committee.  This will enable the tournament organisers to plan more effectively and publish the final timetable earlier. If there are insufficient entries in a particular division, then divisions may be combined or not held. 

• All entry fees are paid as one club payment by 6:00 pm MONDAY 17th March 2024 – just over two weeks before the competition. PAYMENT OF ENTRY FEES BY INTERNET BANKING TO KARATE NEW ZEALAND [Internet Banking Westpac Account:  03 0180 0177734 002 - add your ‘club name’ with 'NZCUP25' in the bank reference.

Please note:

• New Zealand karate clubs need to register with Sportdata to enter players.

• Only Karate-ka within New Zealand is eligible to compete.

• Athletes and spectators may be photographed or filmed for live web streaming and used on a highlights package (with international viewing options). So anyone attending the venue on Saturday may be filmed. By attending, you give consent to potentially being filmed or interviewed.

• Competitors competing in Premier individual Kata or Premier individual Kumite categories in this event cannot compete as a Development or Intermediate in that discipline (Kata and/or Kumite) in future competitions; i.e. after competing at this event, they are now referred to as Premier competitors in either one or both of Kata and Kumite.

• During the bow at the beginning of the tournament, all players must be in Gi or Club tracksuits and present themselves correctly.

• Coaches must wear their club tracksuits or national tracksuits.

• Coaches will need current photo identification on Sportdata (similar to the NZ passport requirement), as the photo ID will be on the above certification. Coaches registered must be 16 years or older.

• No unauthorised persons will be allowed on the tatami at any time.

• Registered coaches should be able to practice First Aid and be aware of the signs of concussion  https://www.accsportsmart.co.nz/concussion/.

• The Organising Committee reserves the right to withdraw, combine or change Event Categories if and when required up to 48 hours before the Competition Opening.

• All players must present themselves to the Registration Table and register before their competitions. (Kumite players may be weighed) - Registration times will be posted once the timetable is finalised.

• Coaches will require an up-to-date photograph in Sportdata. See the guidelines for the checklist for photos.

• WKF Rules will be applied for Premier Grades in this tournament.

• All entries are final. Ensure all entries are completed correctly as incorrect age or weight information may result in disqualification from the tournament.

• Coaches/Clubs, please update your player and coach information in the Sportdata system; athletes get older, heavier/lighter and change grades. (The Sportdata system will only adjust age – not weight or grade).

KATA: 

The judging of the Kata competition for the competitors will follow the WKF flag system.

REQUIREMENTS 

• Premier Kata for Cadets and older - any approved WKF Kata. No Repeats as per WKF rules. We will be using the Elimination System with a repechage for individuals. 

Team Kata 

• 14 – 17 years Kata can be repeated but not consecutively, Bunkai required for medal rounds

• 16 years+ Free Kata in all rounds, no repetition permitted, Bunkai required for medal rounds

NB: Competitors must announce the name of the Kata they will perform before performing it. They must also bow inside the competition area before starting and after completing the Kata. The competitor will be disqualified for failing to do so.

Depending on the number of teams entered, different age grades, including male and female, may be combined, with teams performing Bunkai in a single pool format. Teams performing Bunkai have five minutes from the first to the final bow to complete their performance.

KUMITE: 

WKF points, warning, and penalty systems will be used for all Kumite Events.


For ages 14 and over, the WKF rules will apply.

If there's a high volume of entries within age grades, competitors will be grouped into divisions based on the weight they provided in Sportdata. Please note that these weight categories may not necessarily align with the specific weight classes defined by the World Karate Federation (WKF). However, we aim to avoid creating divisions with only two competitors whenever possible.

KUMITE BOUT DURATION for Male and Female

• 14 – 17 years old 2.0 minutes (as per WKF rules)

• 18 years and older (U’21 and Senior) 3.0 min (as per WKF Rules)

• Veteran & Super Veterans 2.0 minutes

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• All competitors (Kumite and Kata) must wear a clean white Gi in good condition. 

• As competitors, players must follow the WKF rules, i.e. white karate gi without stripes, piping, or personal embroidery.

• ALL KUMITE COMPETITORS MUST WEAR Mouthguards, Body protectors (protection), Red and Blue belts, and Red and Blue hand mitts (matching their competing belts). Foot protectors must match the belt colour. 

• KNZ, Oceania, or WKF must approve all equipment.

• Male Kumite competitors must wear their groin protectors (KNZ-approved or WKF type)


• Female Kumite 14-year-olds & above – advised to wear an approved chest protector (breast protector) underneath the body protector.

EVENT MANAGEMENT:

Kumite events: 

• With categories with only 3 competitors, a ROUND ROBIN DRAW will be made if time allows.

• With categories with 4-8 competitors, there will be a repechage for a single third place.

• With categories with 9 or more competitors, there will be a repechage for two third-places.

PLEASE NOTE: The players are responsible for listening to the events being called and reporting to the Marshall on time. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.