Mr Hans van Ess, MNZM, of Auckland, for services to ju-jitsu
Hans van Ess is recognised as a founding father of ju-jitsu in New Zealand, as a leading teacher and highest-level black belt for much of the period 1961 to 2014, during which time he was involved as an instructor, administrator and ambassador before retiring as an 8th dan.
He founded the New Zealand Judo College and co-founded the New Zealand Jiu Jitsu Association (NZJJA) to oversee teaching of ju-jitsu and maintain standards for students.
NZJJA became a member of the International Judo and Jujitsu League under his leadership. Mr van Ess was Chairman of the NZJJA Black Belt Technical Council and created the Referee and Judges’ Course.