Congratulations on completing 10 years with this publication since it’s beginning as New Zealand Martial Arts Magazine. It has certainly stood the test of time, which is so satisfying considering other attempts have been made but not succeeded. Doesn’t time pass so quickly with a project like this, it seems like only recently that I kicked off with an idea and a big step into piecing together the jigsaw which makes up the martial arts community. When reflecting on those first two years there is a multitude of experiences that come to mind. I certainly don’t miss working long days and nights to meet a print deadline, which you will be only too familiar with. At least these days there is far more use of electronic means to work with and send information around to streamline tasks. Most of the time in which I was involved with the publication was an enjoyable insight into the building blocks of various martial art styles. I guess it was a thirst for knowledge, which got me started, and feeling that the martial arts community lacked a vehicle to communicate and network with. That soon exposed me to be a bit vulnerable at times, however, I tried to give everyone a fair say and you certainly can’t please everyone. I had figured the martial arts in New Zealand had gone backwards since the crazy days of the Bruce Lee era and not just by the obvious down turn in numbers of students. Perhaps this wasn’t a bad thing as that era saw a lot of instructors seemingly pop up over night to cash in on the fad and I was disappointed to see this type of behaviour still exists in more recent times. A couple let me down after telling a good story about themselves or asking for favours, but that’s life and what goes around comes around eventually.
I still appreciate the support I got right from the start with some huge commitments being made from people in the way of regular advertising and articles. I got to meet a lot of neat people and have many fond memories. So many things come to mind, like Ian Waite bounding into my house one day full of energy and ideas, and the electric shock he gave me with a simple tap on the arm. I spent a lot of time talking with Terry Hill, it was hard not to as he is involved in so many aspects of the martial arts. I respect the fighters who train for months, then lay it all on the line and especially the Muay Thai fighters from Thailand who make their fighting style look almost graceful yet so effective. I was welcomed into many training facilities around the country like your CQB classes in Dunedin and saw many fascinating people show their skills. I often think of the grace and agility of Dave Butler’s instructor Obata who as quite a big solid man could somersault through the air looking as light as a feather yet pack some huge power when needed. To me, that is something very special, as many martial artists carry an attitude or energy with them quite the result of the style they have adopted, a few people like Obata have struck a balance that is quite unique, although that’s just my opinion and I’m sure others will see it differently.
I feel that all martial arts have something to offer for everybody and I am pleased to have been given an insight into many different styles. There are some I didn’t get involved with as I would have liked as the work schedule was so intense at times, however, there will come other opportunities in future. I have been asked if I will get involved in something like the magazine again in future, however, all I can say is that I am considering other avenues of the media at this stage which could be sport or arts related and anything is possible.
Once again Geoff, Trish, Edward, Graeme and team congratulations for taking my mere two years of effort and stretching the publication to ten years. Well done!
Keith Biddle
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When Keith put the then New Zealand Martial Arts Magazine on the market there were initial interested buyers but none of them signed on the dotted line or fronted up with the money.
Edward Yee and Geoff Todd did do the deal and two years after Keith Biddle had started New Zealands’ most successful martial arts magazine it had new owners.
Our plan was simply to continue with what Keith had established and as time went on expand on it.
Keith like another Kiwi, Kevin Brennan, who had previously published AFA knew it was a good read their readers were looking for and nothing more.
It was the National content and not the glossy Hollywood type martial arts that they were looking for and this has always been the magazines main focus.
Readers regularly made suggestions re how we could give them what they were looking for and we listened to them and where viable acted on these requests.
Readers asked for a martial arts awards where they could vote for their choice of leaders in their respective fields and we answered their requests with the century of martial arts awards the definitive endorsement of a century of NZ’s best.
Readers requested martial arts supplies of quality and at more reasonable rates than they could find anywhere else in the country and we brought them Sports Master Australia quality products and prices that really pleased.
Readers wanted more close combat content especially service persons and we brought them the close combat files and record of service that has seen martial artists now interested in their fathers and grandfathers military service.
When it was Australian content that was requested we moved into Australia not only to source new material but also to distribute our magazine.
This was when we changed the cover name to Australasian Martial Arts magazine and brought you a wide range of Australian content. We received a lot of endorsements from Australian martial artists that were still missing the AFA style publication.
It was at this time with the confusion of Australasian martial arts magazine not being a specific title and the content covering not only martial arts but also combat sports and close combat that like AFA we needed a title that more reflected our content.
We looked at many suggested titles from readers and supporters, that is until one night Tank looked out his office window at the Todd Group on the Otago Daily Times building opposite and thought, why not Fight Times and so it was to be Fight Times.
The name has really worked and widened our readership and seen our product sales skyrocket.
After purchasing the building in Stuart Street where Fight Times operates from and expanding rapidly there was no looking back.
Edward Yee was later brought out by Tank when he set up a new automotive business and since then Geoff and Trish have worked the magazine along with Graeme and Edward still assisting.
After several years distributing in Australia and on the advice of the Todd Group’s management accountant Mr Bill Hall we decided to pull out of Australia even though our sales were consistent. The Australian market was simply too hard work with receiving material in time for deadlines and the freight increases since Sept 11th were affecting returns to the point that it was better to get back to core business.
Having the market sewn up in NZ and seeing competitors come and go has convinced us that being the major player in a small market is the best way to continue.
While we have no plans to change anything with Fight Times in the immediate future we do work every day at introducing new inclusions services and products.
To have such major support from all over NZ we are truly thankful and hope the next ten years can be every bit as prosperous.
To all our readers, contributors, advertisers and supporters a big thank you.
