Our Instructors

Martin Hartman, 5th Dan

Martin Hartman began training Aikido in Switzerland 1978 under Ikeda Sensei and studied with many of the first generation Senseis, such as Tada, Tamura and Tissier. Iwama Style became his passion after being Uchi Deshi at the Aikido Institute of Oakland. He went to Iwama several times for longer periods to study under Saito Sensei, and kept a close relationship with him until Saito Sensei’s death. He is now part of the California Aikido Association under Patricia Hendricks Sensei’s division. He travels regularly to her Dojo in San Leandro to update and refine his Aikido skills. He immigrated to New Zealand in 1987, and founded the Nelson and Motueka Dojos with Cornelia Baumgartner. He is also a Senior Instructor within the Kidpower organisation.

Cornelia Baumgartner, 4th Dan

Cornelia Baumgartner started Aikido in 1976, in Switzerland. Tada Sensei was a particularly inspiring teacher for her. In 1987, 1989 and 1992 she spent a total of five months as an uchi deshi of Saito Sensei in Iwama. She now lives in New Zealand, where she founded Aikido of Motueka (1987) and Nelson (1988) with her partner Martin Hartman. They are members of the California Aikido Association, and Cornelia regularly trains with and visits Pat Hendricks Sensei in California. Cornelia is also the co-founder of the Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower Trust in New Zealand.

We also have a lot of other high grades taking classes! Please click Here to view them.