We started out as an idea for introducing Kiwi youth to Japanese culture. In late 2008 Dan Fujikawa and Malcolm Harris were discussing ways to introduce Kiwi youth to Japanese culture and that Budo was an ideal vehicle for this. The problem was that gear was hard to come by, or quite expensive to buy, and still is. Both Dan and Malcolm are members of the Christchurch-Kurashiki Sister City Committee and through this relationship we were able to get an amount of second hand Kendo-gu (gear) sent by Kurashiki Shiyakusho to us so that anyone can get involved.
The Nambu Kenshikai Kendo Dojo initiative focuses on Kendo as Budo, not as sports Kendo. This means that the purpose of training is to follow the ideals of Budo, trying to make yourself a better person, rather than winning the fight at all costs and beating your opponents into the ground. Instead, we respect our training partners and do our best at all times to train correctly, respect each other, observe Kendo etiquette and all the other things that come with Budo.
As the focus is on becoming a better person and allowing our Iaido members to experience a different aspect of the sword, we don't put emphasis on gradings or competitions and are not affiliated to the NZKF (New Zealand Kendo Federation), but members can take part in ZNKR (All Japan Kendo federation) events such as gradings in Japan if they wish to.
Contact 
Dan Fujikawa
text 027 275 2677