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
Joesef Hamblin
Joesef reached the coveted rank of BJJ Blackbelt in remarkably short time, and has won No-Gi Gold at the Gracie Worlds in Los Angeles. 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
Ezra Berghan
Group fitness coach and the Beatdown IV Champion. Ezra has always taken an interest to physical improvement in its many forms. Learn more
Mike Gault
Former coach at Elite Thai Kickboxing before opening his own branch, Mike joined CORE MMA as Muay Thai & Kickboxing Coach. Learn more
Kodee Ngatai
Muay Thai Trainer and Team Downs Gym founder. Kodee believes in applying sound scientific principles to Muay Thai. 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
Carl Houben
Carl absolutely loves teaching Beginners and Kids classes and has a real passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Learn more
Marc Lelievre
NZ representative for the IMMAF Amateur World Championships 2016 in Las Vegas, Shuriken & XFC Australia Champion. Learn more
Tiago Santa Ritta
Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blackbelt (2nd Degree) & NZ Grappler National Champion Learn more
Nepia Mahuika
Dr Nepia Mahuika is our other resident Brownbelt 'mad professor' of BJJ - as well as being a lecturer in History at the University of Waikato. Learn more
Mike Ryan
Mike is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purplebelt and one of our Kids & Beginners BJJ coaches. He really enjoys seeing personal progress through BJJ. Learn more
Alexander Kalnins
Alexander is a BJJ & Judo practitioner, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brownbelt and a frequent Masters division competitor on the NZ BJJ scene. Learn more
Frank Jarrett
In early 2015, Frank won the "Road to Vegas" Lightweight tournament to find an NZ rep for the IMMAF Amateur World Championships in Las Vegas. Learn more
Ryan Johns
Ryan is the first to have graduated from both of our Youth MMA and Colts MMA programme to later become a staple member of our competition team. Learn more
Jojo Walsh
Jojo began training in powerlifting and weightlifting in 2013 and began BJJ whilst living in the United States in 2016. Learn more
Michelle Montague
IMMAF World Champion 2019, Oceania Wrestling Champion and future Women's MMA superstar. Learn more
Federico Leoni
Rico's specialties include Calisthenics, Weightlifting and Gymnastics. He focuses on strength, flexibility and unlocking new ranges of movement. Learn more