Riai Aikido Wellington is an aikido school at 132 Hutt Road in Kaiwharawhara, Wellington. Its distinctive feature is its link to the source of the art: the school is affiliated with the Hombu Dojo, the world aikido headquarters in Tokyo, and the website says all its black belts are registered in Japan. The head of the school is Sensei Henry Lynch, a 6th Dan with more than 45 years' experience in the art.
The school teaches classes for children and adults in Wellington and in Auckland, where Sensei Lynch is the chief instructor at the Riai Aikido Learning Centre. Aikido is taught without competition. Students take turns as defender and attacker, and the aim is to blend with an attack and resolve it, not to win. The website says the training builds fitness, coordination, balance and focus, and that it suits all ages and body types.
The school also takes part in a Friendship Festival, which is open to aikido students of all affiliations and includes demonstrations by senseis.