Coaches & Instructors
At CORE MMA we are lucky to have a diverse and experienced coaching team, surrounded by senior students who fully support the team and act as additional trainers.
We promote growth in all areas, and often host seminars with local & international specialists in order to bring fresh techniques & ideas to the training table.
Carlo Meister
With Blackbelts in both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Karate, Carlo has an equal appreciation of both grappling and striking. Learn more
Chris Heke
Chris is known as one of the academies two 'mad professors', a very technical grappler - but never one to ignore the importance of solid fundamentals. Learn more
Ethan Shepp
Kickboxing & Muay Thai Coach with fighters winning World Titles, King in the Ring and competing at Glory, ONE Championship. Learn more
Ezra Berghan
South Pacific Amateur MMA Champion. Ezra has always taken an interest to physical improvement in its many forms. Learn more
Toby FitzPatrick
Toby is an excellent wrestler with international rankings, and has extensive skills in freestyle and submission wrestling as well as MMA. Learn more
Quade Taranaki
One of New Zealand's best competitive kickboxers with a huge amount of international experience. Learn more
Carl Houben
Carl absolutely loves teaching Beginners and Kids classes and has a real passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Learn more
Matthew Paley-Free
Matthew is a Judo Blackbelt and competitor with significant international experience. Learn more
Ethan Brockett
New Zealand Amateur MMA rep at the South Pacific Championships, TKD Blackbelt and North island Kickboxing Champion Learn more
Alexander Kalnins
Alexander is a BJJ & Judo practitioner, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blackbelt and a frequent Masters division competitor on the NZ BJJ scene. Learn more
Kingsley Comins
Kingsley is a personal trainer with a passion for building Strength & Mobility using Calisthenics. Learn more
Francis Bourke
Franky specialises in Long Term Athlete Development, with a keen interest in Sports Injury Management and Recovery. Learn more
Julius Poananga
Julius holds the rank of BJJ Blackbelt, and has accumulated a number of submission wins throughout his MMA career. Learn more
Mike Ryan
Mike is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brownbelt and one of our Beginners BJJ coaches. He really enjoys seeing personal progress through BJJ. Learn more
Eduardo Bissoli
Judo Blackbelt and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purplebelt, Eduardo is a talented grappler who coaches our Gi takedown programme. Learn more
Ready to get started?
Click here to get started on your free trial session. If you need a little more info, check out our Beginners Guide.
Book Trial Session