Instructor Profile - Mr Kris Herbison, VI dan

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Senior Instructor & Class Instructor - Adult / Youth Classes
VRD, CA, DipGrad, BCom, BSc
Mr Herbison Taekwon-Do CV »

Mr Herbison is a VI dan (sixth degree black belt) and began training in 1995 in Mosgiel, Dunedin. He gained his I dan in 1997 and became an Assistant Instructor at the Mosgiel & Dunedin schools.  In 1999 he was promoted to II dan and he then opened the Otago University Club in 2000 where he gained the top gup grading results 3 times and won the International Taekwon-Do Club of the Year award in 2003.

After being promoted to IV dan in 2005 Mr Herbison moved to Christchurch for work and became the Assistant Instructor at Riccarton. When the prior instructor Mr Oliver retired, he became the Club Instructor in 2010 and has led Riccarton to the Best Club at the South Island Regional Championships in 2010, 2013, 2015 and 2016, second at the 2015 National Championships and Riccarton was a finalist for 2016 Sport Canterbury Club of the Year and was awarded the 2016 International Taekwon-Do Club of the Year 2016, and was promoted to V dan in 2016, and to VI dan in 2022.

Mr Herbison's training highlights include meeting Gen. Choi Hong Hi, the founder of Taekwon-Do; and winning a Silver Medal in Team Power Test at the 2009 World Championships in Argentina.

Mr Herbison is a past Board Member for International Taekwon-Do (the New Zealand National Governing Body) and for the 2011 World Championships. He was previously the interim CEO for International Taekwon-Do, as well as being the South Island Regional Director for many years. Mr Herbison is a Chartered Accountant and an Officer in the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Interview with Mr Herbison

How did you get started in Taekwon-Do?

I had been interested in learning a martial art for a while and when I started an after school job when I was 15 I met a black belt from the Mosgiel school who took me along to training. There I met some great people, who are still friends of mine, and it all started from there.

When did you receive your first degree (I dan) black belt?

I graded to I dan in December 1997 in Hamner Springs, where my instructors Mr Evans and Dr Pearson were also grading to III dan. Before that we had a gruelling, old school style Pain Weekend in Alexandra, where I spent the weekend carrying a heavy rock above my head everywhere we went.

When did you start instructing, and at which school?

As a blue belt I attended an International Taekwon-Do instructors induction course and then helped out at training where I could, often teaching small groups. When I was promoted to I dan black belt I became Assistant Instructor at both the Mosgiel and Dunedin schools. After I was promoted to II dan I opened the Otago University school in 2000, where I instructed for 6 years.  After completing my studies I moved to Christchurch and became the assistant instructor at the Riccarton school.  I took over as Instructor in 2010 when Mr Oliver, the previous instructor, retired to spend more time with his family and motorbike.

What do you think is most important in a school?

The people – a school will thrive with enthusiastic and committed members who give training their all and attend many events, which creates a strong bond between members and relationships with others around the country.

A good social environment is important as well – having a circle of friends at training works wonders for school spirit and motivation. These friendships, both at regular training and throughout the rest of the International Taekwon-Do community, are what make International Taekwon-do such a great organisation to be a part of.

What has kept you involved for so long?

I still really enjoy the training and being involved with the organisation at a National and International level; and in particular the people in the organisation. I have made numerous friends from around the country and overseas.

What are your favourite hand and foot techniques?

My favourite foot technique would be turning kick, and
hand technique is front punch.

Who inspires you in Taekwon-Do?

Many people in the organisation inspire me, such as Mr Steve Pellow and Mr Mark Banicevich. They are always willing to help, are dedicated and they persevere in their training and teaching others.

What are your most memorable moments in Taekwon-Do?

There are many, although the main ones are:

• winning a sliver medal at the 2009 world champs in Argentina
• surviving three Pain Weekends,
• achieving my I and IV and V dans,
  
• opening my own school,
• meeting General Choi at the 1998 International Instructors’ Course, and
• seeing my first students grade to I dan.

What is your most embarrassing Taekwon-Do moment?

I don’t have a particularly embarrassing one, but there is a funny one I remember very fondly. I was attending the last of General Choi’s seminars in New Zealand in 1998, just after I was promoted to I dan, and just after I demonstrated a pattern in front of everyone he patted me on the shoulder and said “You too skinny! Who your instructor?” and I said “Mr Pearson, sir,” and Mr Jake Pearson stood up. He was also quite lean, and General Choi turned to him and said “He too skinny – you teach him better!” to the amusement of most at the course.

What are your personal goals for the future?

I want to help develop International Taekwon-Do as an organisation and share Taekwon-Do with as many people as possible. 

The other major focus will be to continue my training and development as both a practitioner of Taekwon-Do and as an instructor. One day I would like to reach the level of Master.