Auckland School of European Martial Arts

Welcome to the Auckland School of European Martial Arts, located in Auckland on Dunkirk Road. We are a dedicated institution that focuses on the study, practice, and re-establishment of cultural, historical, and functional Martial Arts from across Europe and throughout the ages.

As a branch of the larger New Zealand School of European Martial Arts (N.Z.S.E.M.A), we specialize in the study and practice of historical and cultural martial traditions and self-defense systems. Our school offers a unique opportunity for students to connect with their ancestral culture and heritage, explore different periods and cultures that inspire them, and learn something outside of the arts popularized in television and movies.

Our main focus is on H.E.M.A (Historical European Martial Arts), which involves a mix of study and experimental archaeology to reconstruct historically accurate and martially functional interpretations of various martial arts. From swordplay and historical fencing to knightly martial arts and self-defense systems using walking sticks, we cover a wide range of disciplines.

For new learners, we provide all the basic equipment required for training, including drill work and limited equipment for dynamic drills. However, as attendees progress and develop their skills, they are encouraged to invest in their own equipment, especially as they move towards assaulting, free play, and sparring. More details about equipment requirements can be found in the classes section of our website.

In the weapon arts, our main focus is on the medieval knightly arts of the Liechtenauer tradition. We take an unorthodox interpretation approach, focusing on interpreting and reconstructing the art as a functional martial art rather than the form of sports fencing commonly seen in modern H.E.M.A groups. We emphasize both what the master says to do and what not to do, based on the fact that the instructions were written for competent swordsmen and not modern practitioners. Our main classes primarily focus on Longsword, but we also include grappling, messer, and dagger training during specific months.

For those interested in swordplay and weapon arts beyond the medieval and knightly arts, we offer later period arts classes. These classes focus on the sword arts of the 17th century, including smallsword, basket-hilted sword, cutlass, and expand to cover rapier, boarding pike, bayonet, and more during specific months. We also offer armed self-defense classes during out-of-rotation months, which cover self-defense with walking sticks, umbrellas, and knife fighting systems of the period.

One of the main self-defense systems we focus on is the DDLR form Savate. We study and train the Defense Dans La Rue method of Savate, which combines various interesting systems such as French kickboxing, English Bare knuckle boxing, Swiss wrestling, folk wrestling, Japanese Jujitsu, and more. These sessions are currently running as private sessions, but we hope to increase the number of attendees in the future to move them into a hired space.

In terms of martial sports, we focus on the historical form of bare-knuckle boxing or pugilism, which is taught within our DDLR syllabus. Our style of pugilism combines Broughton's rules and English prize fighting, with limited grappling and training towards bare-knuckle sparring and assaulting. We draw from various historical sources, with a particular emphasis on what we have surviving from Daniel Mendoza and his student.

During out-of-rotation months, our weekend grappling sessions may also focus on different forms of sportive grappling, such as folk wrestling styles like Irish collar and elbow, Scottish Backhold, catch-as-catch-can, and more. We prioritize working from historical texts rather than modern interpretations.

If you are interested in immersing yourself in the world of European martial arts, we invite you to join us at the Auckland School of European Martial Arts. Whether you are looking to reclaim your ancestral culture, connect with a specific period or culture, or simply learn something unique, we have a wide range of classes and disciplines to suit your interests. Visit our website for more information and details on how to get started.