INFORMATION
The New Zealand Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (NZBJJF) was founded to officially represent the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in New Zealand. Its main goals are to popularize, organize and regulate the sport in NZ to international standards. This work is similar to what the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Confederation (CBJJ) has done in Brazil, where the sport is highly popular and follows established guidelines. Also to protect the principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Working in accordance with the IBJJF guidelines, the New Zealand Brazilian Jiu Jitsu follows the rules and regulations as standard followed by Jiu-Jitsu practitioners all over the world. The NZBJJF is also actively involved in promoting and managing high quality tournaments that are crucial for the technical evolution of the sport and its popularization. Since Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is constantly evolving and becoming more popular around the globe, it is just natural that the major tournaments generate a lot of media coverage. From television to magazines and the internet. The Jiu-Jitsu community and the grappling world in general turn to see it. This has generated a very strong consumer market and every year more and bigger companies choose to associate their brands and/or products to major events. Another focus of the NZBJJF is to follow the IBJJF’s work in regulating and organizing how gradings occur. The main objective is to preserve the integrity of our martial art and allow all instructors and practitioners to have clear guidelines to measure their technical evolution. Therefore the NZBJJF follows the international standard for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gradings as set out by the IBJJF.
The New Zealand Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (NZBJJF) was established with the primary purpose of serving as the official representative of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu within New Zealand. Its core objectives are to promote, administer, and standardize the sport in New Zealand, aligning it with international standards. This mission closely mirrors the efforts of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Confederation in Brazil, where the sport enjoys widespread popularity and adheres to well-established guidelines. The NZBJJF also assumes the crucial responsibility of safeguarding the fundamental principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In strict accordance with the guidelines set forth by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), the New Zealand Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation ensures that the rules and regulations adhered to are consistent with those followed by Jiu-Jitsu practitioners worldwide. Furthermore, the NZBJJF actively engages in the promotion and management of high-quality tournaments, which play an indispensable role in advancing the technical evolution of the sport and increasing its popularity.
As Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu continues to undergo continuous evolution and gain greater recognition on the global stage, it is only natural that major tournaments receive substantial media coverage, spanning television, magazines, and the internet. This increased visibility has cultivated a robust consumer market, with an ever-growing number of prominent companies opting to associate their brands and products with these significant events.
Another significant aspect of the NZBJJF's mission is its commitment to following the IBJJF's lead in regulating and organizing the grading system within Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The principal objective here is to preserve the integrity of our martial art and provide both instructors and practitioners with clear guidelines for assessing their technical progress. Consequently, the NZBJJF strictly adheres to the international standards for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gradings, as meticulously defined by the IBJJF.
In conclusion, preserving the cultural heritage and legacy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is far more than a mere aspiration - it is an unshakable responsibility that necessitates our unwavering dedication. It is through this unwavering commitment that we can ensure the enduring art and traditions of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are handed down to forthcoming generations.
Master Carlos Gracie Jr. Once said (My life is dedicated to Jiu-Jitsu. My goal was simply to build a brotherhood to lead the expansion of Jiu-Jitsu while respecting the essence of our art. We must do that honoring the traditions and efforts of those who came before us.) – Carlos Gracie Jr.
Our mission is keeping the legacy alive, the roots of our Martial Art and family values.
We will endeavour to represent the IBJJF and the Jiu-Jitsu community to the highest level across New Zealand.
NZBJJF Team.
NEW ZEALAND BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU FEDERATION (NZBJJF)
Official Memorandum
Subject:
Legacy, Legitimacy, and Active Contribution in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Belt Recognition
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not defined by time alone. It is defined by presence, responsibility, and contribution.
Throughout its history, the art has been built and preserved by individuals who remained active on the mats—not only as practitioners, but as teachers, leaders, and representatives of its values. The progression through the belt system, from white to black and beyond, carries a responsibility that extends far beyond personal achievement.
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, rank is not a passive entitlement.
As reinforced by respected leaders in our community, including Grand Masters of the art, advancement—especially at the highest levels such as coral and red belts—requires continuous, active involvement. This includes teaching, mentoring, developing students, contributing to the growth of the art, and upholding its standards within the community.
A black belt is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a lifelong commitment.
Time alone does not justify promotion. Years must be accompanied by service. The legitimacy of each belt, and especially higher degrees, is directly tied to the individual’s ongoing dedication to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as an active professor, coach, or contributor to the art.
This principle preserves the integrity of the system.
It ensures that those who reach the highest levels are not only experienced, but also present—individuals who have given back consistently and helped shape future generations. These are the individuals who carry the legacy forward.
As the art has evolved, so has its expression.
The growth of No-Gi competition and grappling has become an essential part of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. While Gi training remains a fundamental pillar of the tradition, No-Gi represents the continued evolution and adaptability of the art in today’s world.
For this reason, true technical completeness and legitimacy at the highest levels require proficiency in both Gi and No-Gi.
A legitimate black belt should demonstrate understanding, effectiveness, and teaching capacity across both forms. Mastery of only one aspect does not fully represent the depth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as it exists today. The tradition has evolved—and with that evolution comes responsibility.
It is also important to clarify:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a distinct martial art, with its own history, lineage, and development.
While it shares distant roots with traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, its evolution, methodology, and ranking system are independent and must be understood within the context of its own lineage and standards.
At NZBJJF, we stand for:
• Authenticity in rank recognition
• Respect for lineage and tradition
• Accountability in progression
• Active contribution to the art
• Technical completeness in both Gi and No-Gi
We honor those who have reached the highest levels not simply because of time passed, but because of the lives they have impacted, the knowledge they have shared, and the standards they have upheld.
This is what gives meaning to the belt.
This is what protects the legacy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
NZBJJF
Bringing structure, integrity, and growth to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu across New Zealand.