The Kung Fu School in Petone is one branch of a national martial arts school that opened in 1996. This club meets in the Petone Central Bowling Club hall on Roxburgh Grove, off Cuba Street, and draws students from across Lower Hutt, Petone and Upper Hutt, including Naenae, Silverstream and Johnsonville. Classes are split by age: Pee Wees, ages 5 to 6, meet from 4.45pm to 5.30pm; children, ages 7 to 11, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm; and teens, ages 12 to 17, from 6.30pm to 8pm. There are adult classes too, and the first class is free.
The training teaches respect, humility, empathy and discipline, alongside self defence. It covers evasion, hand strikes, kicking, throwing and submissions, and it teaches children and teens how to deal with bullying and harassment safely.
Students say the lessons are challenging and fun, that the lessons cater for beginners as well as people who have trained in other martial arts, and that the club has a family feel, with support from other students. One student says the school encouraged them to try new things and meet people from around the country.