Krav Maga New Zealand

Build the capability to handle yourself in the real world. Practical self-defence training from internationally certified KMG instructors — available in Auckland, Hastings, and across New Zealand.

Find Training Near You

Active training in Auckland & Hastings · Courses building across New Zealand

60+ countries worldwide
2 active NZ regions
★★★★★ 5-star rated
KMG New Zealand instructor demonstrating a self-defence technique

Practical self-defence training for real-world situations

Krav Maga was developed in Israel by Imi Lichtenfeld and refined into a globally certified civilian system by Eyal Yanilov — the founder of Krav Maga Global. It teaches a structured approach to self-defence built for the situations ordinary people are most likely to face.

Krav Maga Global teaches a structured self-defence system that is not sport-based, not performance-based, and not built around point scoring or ritual.

The focus is simple: awareness, decision-making, practical technique, and the ability to respond under pressure with control. That is why KMG training is used by people in more than 60 countries worldwide — from beginners to experienced practitioners, at any age and any starting point.

Train Now in New Zealand

Regular classes are running now in Auckland and Hastings & Napier. Choose your region to see available training options.

● Active Region

Auckland

See Auckland Training Options
● Active Region

Hastings & Napier

See Hastings Training Options

Is Krav Maga Global Coming to Your City?

Register your interest to be first to hear when a course comes to your city. Early registrations are prioritised when dates are confirmed.

Real People. Real Training.

Google · KMG North Shore

"Aaron is an excellent instructor — clear, practical and very engaging. You always leave having learned something real."

Mike
★★★★★
Google · KMG West Auckland

"I instinctively de-escalated a situation in a grocery store thanks to the reflexes I built here. It works."

Raymund
★★★★★
Google · KMG Hastings

"KMG Hastings is the gold standard — the techniques are practical and immediately applicable in high-stress situations."

Michael
★★★★★
Google · KMG North Shore

"As a woman of a smaller build, I have found that these classes have strengthened me both physically and mentally."

Christine
★★★★★
KMG New Zealand students receiving diplomas after completing a course taught by Eyal Yanilov in Auckland
KMG New Zealand students receiving diplomas after completing a course taught by Eyal Yanilov in Auckland.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Krav Maga and is it suitable for beginners?

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Krav Maga is a practical self-defence system developed in Israel and refined by Krav Maga Global under Eyal Yanilov. It is designed for ordinary adults with no prior training background — no fitness baseline, no martial arts experience, and no special physical attributes are required. KMG courses follow a structured curriculum that builds skill progressively from your first session.

Where can I train Krav Maga in New Zealand?

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KMG New Zealand currently has active training in two regions: Auckland (North Shore and West Auckland) and Hastings & Napier. Courses are also building in Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, Christchurch, Whangārei, Hibiscus Coast, Palmerston North, and Rotorua. Visit the locations page to find training near you or register your interest for a city on the waitlist.

Who teaches KMG courses in New Zealand?

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All KMG New Zealand courses are taught by instructors certified directly through Krav Maga Global headquarters — the same international framework overseen by Eyal Yanilov. Instructor certification requires completing the KMG Instructor Course (GIC) and meeting ongoing grading standards. New Zealand's KMG instructor team has been active since 2015, with clubs in Auckland and Hastings delivering regular training to over 1,000 students. Students who complete KMG courses receive internationally recognised diplomas — the same certification awarded to KMG students in more than 60 countries.

How is Krav Maga Global different from other self-defence systems?

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KMG teaches a structured, graded curriculum rather than an informal collection of techniques. Training focuses on awareness and decision-making as much as physical technique, covering real-world scenarios including threats, grabs, ground situations, and multiple attackers. It is not a sport — there are no competition rules and no performance-based scoring. The system is the same one taught to practitioners in more than 60 countries worldwide.

Are KMG New Zealand instructors internationally certified?

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Yes. All KMG New Zealand instructors hold certification directly from Krav Maga Global headquarters and are trained under the KMG grading and instructor framework overseen by Eyal Yanilov. New Zealand students who complete courses receive internationally recognised KMG diplomas — the same certification awarded to KMG students in more than 60 countries.

What should I expect from my first Krav Maga session?

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Your first session is a genuine introduction to practical self-defence — not a fitness class and not a tryout. You will cover basic principles, learn how to position yourself and move under pressure, and work through a small number of practical techniques with a training partner. Most people find that the concepts make immediate sense because they are built around how real situations actually unfold. Comfortable training clothes are all you need — no prior experience and no special equipment.

Find Your Nearest Training Location

Regular classes are running now in Auckland and Hastings. Courses are building across New Zealand — register your interest and be first to know when training comes to your city.

Find Training Near You Active clubs · Waitlists · Intensive courses