Kyorugi Referee Updates for 2026

Updates from TNZ Kyorugi Referee Director Aaron

The last week of January, I attended the WT Referee Training Camp in Kazakstan, led by WT Referee Chair Zhu Linfang, and WT Technical Commission Chair Philippe Bouedo. The camp is also the first stage of Olympic selections for referees.

During this camp, the new rules and interpretations were covered, along with the standards and expectations of refereeing at the top level.

After rigorous testing on the final 2 days, we then had a gala dinner where the Kazakhstan team held cultural demonstrations, including a referee-themed presentation.

I now hope to bring this information and learning back to New Zealand and distribute this to the referee community, and to coaches and athletes where I can. The start of this is a coaches seminar this Sunday to go over the changes prior to our events starting, and our athletes competing at Oceania Championships late March.

Aaron Dean

TNZ Kyorugi Referee Director

TNZ Kyourgi Rules update meeting: Sunday, 22nd February 2026, at 7pm.

Please email comms@newzealandtaekwondo.co.nz for the Zoom details. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Initiative between nations for the development of National referees

Over Waitangi weekend, 3 of our National referees, Aaron Dean, Connor Minto and Nick Jury, were invited to officiate at the Australia Junior Selections.

While there, they got the experience of applying the new rules and interpretations for the first time, as well as working with an amazing team of referees, led by Australian Taekwondo Referee Chair Nikky White.

This is the start of an initiative between nations for the development of National referees, led by AusTKD Referee Chair, Nikky White, and our own TNZ Referee Director, Aaron Dean.

Next on this initiative is 3 AusTKD National referees coming to NZL for the Tauranga Open in April, with more events planned in the future.