About

"The potential Martial Arts has to make such a positive effect on peoples lives never ceases to amaze me. ​ My main goal is to teach and help as many people as possible to reach their potential in life."

​Quintin Derham starting his training 35 years ago.  Today he is an 8th Degree Black Belt Senior Master and one of New Zealand's highest ranked and experienced Black Belts.  Sifu Quintin has been a full time teacher since 1993 and has a passion for helping people through the Martial Arts.
​Teaching over 20 classes every week and developing a comprehensive online learning programme keeps him very busy, as well as being a devoted family man and father of 5 boys. Throughout the week Quintin may teach up to 100 people daily, ranging from young primary school aged children right through to senior citizens learning Tai Chi and Qigong for improved health and wellbeing.

"Being a fulltime Martial Arts teacher, I can follow in my teachers’footsteps by helping people of all ages in my community. I feel so lucky and privileged to wake up each morning and know I can make a difference in people's lives. My work can be very challenging but the rewards are great."

Quintin began his learning with Neil Irvine in Sunnyvale, West Auckland. Neil Irvine was one of Auckland's first Kempo Black belts and was taught by New Zealand Kempo pioneer Senior Master Mike Ryan. Due to personal reasons Neil resigned from teaching and Quintin took over the teaching duties at the age of 13.

"I had to grow up pretty quick as a teenager, I was responsible for opening up the dojo, running classes and doing the administration - all before I was able to drive myself to classes."

In 1993 Quintin established the Titirangi Shaolin Kempo school in his home town in the historic Mac Andrew hall on Titirangi Road.

​In 2000 Quintin pioneered the ACC Falls Prevention Tai Chi strength and balance programme for people over 65 in Auckland. Due to local success, the programme was rolled out nationally and over the next 12 years was a standout programme helping thousands of older adults learn and reduce falls throughout the country. Today Quintin is still involved in helping older adults improve balance and stability through weekly Tai Chi classes in the Auckland region. Currently Quintin and Dave Hassell are working on a comprehensive tablet based programme focusing on strength and balance exercises. Trails will be developed in conjunction with Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Physiotheraphy department.
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Quintin trained under Professor Robert Gemmell for 32 years and became an 8th degree Black Belt in 2010. Quintin has deep respect for his former teacher and mentor. In 2014 Quintin resigned from Robert Gemmell's school to establish his own school.

​Over the span of his 30+ years in training, Quintin has been a New Zealand Champion many times, excelling in Fighting, Forms, Weaponry and Breaking as well as Push Hands, Tai Chi, Ba Gua, Xinyi and Qigong. Quintin has graded over 140 people to the level of Black belt/sash and is extremely proud of the fact many still train and learn from him to this day.
"I have a wonderful group of Black belt instructors who assist me in the running of the school. Each of these people bring not only their vast Martial Arts experience to the school but also their professional and personal qualities which enriches the school for everyone."