About Us
The Australasian Aikikai was formed in 2005 when 3 independent Dojo’s joined together out of a shared training philosophy. In 2006 a fourth Dojo (Newcastle Aikikai) joined the group. The Australasian Aikikai is under the guidance of the United Kingdom Aikikai and all grades are recognised by Aikikai Hombu Dojo Japan.
The Technical Director of the Australasian Aikikai is Gordon Jones 6th Dan Shihan who is also the Principal of the United Kingdom Aikikai and was awarded his promotion to Shihan at the 2007 Kagami Biraki.
The Chief Instructor & President of the Australasian Aikikai is Colin Hackett 4th Dan Shidoin. Hackett Sensei has 35 years of Aikido training and apart from training with his regular teachers William Smith 6th Dan Shihan and Gordon Jones 6th Dan Shihan he has also practiced with Sensei’s Chiba, Asai, Saito, Sekiya, Sugano, Kanetsuka, Shibata, Osawa as well as Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.