Ava Strong, of Thames, MNZM,for services to karate and the community
Ava Strong has been a martial arts instructor for 35 years and is the highest-ranked woman within Kiaido Ryu Martial Arts and in the Dillman Karate International, outside of the United States. With her husband, Mr Lance Strong, she established the Kiaido Ryu martial arts school in Thames. The couple have extended their teachings into 13 schools throughout the upper North Island. Mrs Strong helps run training workshops and is the primary coordinator of the karate school’s grading/examination events. She has worked with youth in the community, fronted a campaign for child sexual abuse prevention, and facilitated women’s self-defence classes. She is a foundation committee member of Totally Thames.