Our journey to empower you
Discover the story behind CME Active, our passion for self-defence, and what makes our family-run dojo a unique place to learn and grow.
Our humble beginnings
CME Active began in 2012 when Connor, at just 15, was passionate about teaching martial arts. With the support of his sensei, he started his club in Rangiora, eventually moving to North Loburn to maintain affordable costs and establish a more permanent setup.
Our unique approach to self-defence
Having trained with many world leaders in martial arts, from Hanshi Patrick McCarthy to Jesse Enkamp, we combine different styles to provide the best knowledge for all types of combat. Our approach is holistic, blending traditional wisdom with modern techniques.
Meet our dedicated team
Sensei Connor Edmunds has over 23 years of experience and has trained all over the world, including the birthplace of karate, Okinawa. Sensei Mike Edmunds got into martial arts at age 42, achieving his black belt and supporting Connor in starting CME Active. Matt Armstrong, achieving his black belt in 2025, has become an invaluable part of the team, helping with teaching kids.
Why choose CME Active? Small club, big vision.
We are a family-friendly and family-run dojo in rural New Zealand. In an increasingly virtual world, real-time interactions and physical coordination practice are ever more important for our children—and adults too! Families training together can create stronger bonds and appreciation for different ways of training and meeting challenges. At every level of awareness, students have something to teach and something to learn from one another. Sensei Connor takes every opportunity to be a student himself and train with masters of their art across fields, including Hanshi Patrick McCarthy in both Australia and Okinawa, Master Song (Kung Fu), and has hosted "The Karate Nerd," Jesse Enkamp (Karate), at a workshop enjoyed by peers from around NZ. His passion is to bring versatility in training back to his students, who range in age from 5 to 60+ years.