Name: Filipino Martial Arts Fundraiser (Arnis)
Start: 2026-04-11T11:00:00+1200
End: 2026-04-11T18:00:00+1200
Location: Akau Tangi Sports Centre

Question 1

Event Info - Can I watch/support for free?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Entry is free and family-friendly.Please share this event or event posters to people you know. We would love to have more support.

Question 2

Event Info - Where can I get food?

Accepted Answer

You are welcome to bring your own personal food/snacks or buy from Oat Café. However, catered food is not allowed during this event.

Question 3

Event Info - How much is it if I want to join a match?

Accepted Answer

The fee is $35 per person, which includes beginner categories.
Who can participate in these matches: This is only open to clubs and affiliated practitioners from Philippine Martial Arts Association New Zealand (PHILMAA NZ).
Clubs and affiliated practitioners from PHILMAA NZ will need to pre-register their participants. Participants will be ID-verified on the day of the event.
All match participants will have protective equipment (e.g. headgear, padded gloves, body armour, padded sticks, etc).

Proceeds will go for Philippine Martial Arts Association New Zealand to host the first Arnis tournament during Pistang Pilipino 2026 (annual Filipino cultural celebration in Aotearoa/NZ).

Question 4

Event Info - What is Pistang Pilipino 2026?

Accepted Answer

Pistang Pilipino is our biggest annual Filipino cultural celebration in Aotearoa/NZ.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) will be hosting Pistang Pilipino for the first time in 10 years through Streams of Life Charitable Trust, bringing together Filipino families, players and communities from all over Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Question 5

Event Info - What are the categories for the matches?

Accepted Answer

Men's BeginnerMen's AdvancedWomen's BeginnerWomen's AdvancedSubject to change depending on number of participants.

Question 6

Event Info - What can I win if I join a match?

Accepted Answer

For 1st place and 2nd place: Cash prizes and one pair of Rattan sticks.

Question 7

Event Info - I can't compete anymore. Can I refund my $35?

Accepted Answer

Please contact us via Humanitix for refund options. See the bottom of this event page or check your email on how to contact us.

Question 8

Event Info - What else is there to do during the event?

Accepted Answer

We will have demos, workshops/lessons, raffles, and more.There is also a pickleball fundraising event here (register here).

Question 9

Event Info - Where can I find more info about the event hosts?

Accepted Answer

Pistang Pilipino 2026 sa WellingtonPhilippine Martial Arts Association - New Zealand (PHILMAA NZ)Streams of Life Charitable TrustFacebook Event

Question 10

Event Info - I can't attend this event. How can I support?

Accepted Answer

Please share the event posters above to anyone you know.
You can give koha/donate in this event page until 6pm on 11 Apr 2026.
Attend any of our classes (details here).

Bank account details:

STREAMS OF LIFE CHARITABLE TRUST
12-3140-0402021-00
Reference: Arnis (Name)

Question 11

Event Info - Who can I contact for more info?

Accepted Answer

Richard on 021 205 4626.

Question 12

Sparring Format/Rules - Tournament Philosophy

Accepted Answer

This tournament promotes Arnis/Eskrima as a disciplined martial art and must be true to our Filipino roots.Fighters must be respectful and demonstrate grace, purpose, control and tactical intelligence.Points are only awarded for deliberate, clean, and dedicated strikes and techniques.Random, reckless, or excessive striking is discouraged and may be penalised.

Question 13

Sparring Format/Rules - Tournament General Guidelines

Accepted Answer

Who can participate: The matches are only open to clubs and affiliated practitioners from Philippine Martial Arts Association New Zealand (PHILMAA NZ). Clubs and affiliated practitioners from Philippine Martial Arts Association New Zealand (PHILMAA NZ) will need to pre-register their participants. Participants will be ID-verified on the day of the event.Safety is utmost priority and is the responsibility of all tournament attendees.Each club must have their own uniform provided that following rules are adhered to:Must show the club name and other relevant details.Sponsor logo is allowed, provided it's smaller than the club logo and is respectful.No political branding and/or insignia allowed (this includes gang patches).There must be at least one (1) club representative in the judge/referee roster.Decisions of the referees, judges and officiating officials are final.Demonstrate respectful conduct at all times.

Question 14

Sparring Format/Rules - Mandatory Protective Equipment

Accepted Answer

Headgear with face protector (Stix, Fencing Helmet, HEMA, et al)Padded gloves (full coverage)Forearm padsBody armour: Padded or live stick armour (STIX recommended)PHILMAA NZ-approved padded sticks (any form of modification is not allowed)ArmoursOptional: Groin guard, upper arm padsProtective Armours used should be the same for both players during the matchAny equipment not listed above must first be approved by the officiating officials before use.

Question 15

Sparring Format/Rules - Glossary/Definitions

Accepted Answer

You will see the following words/terms throughout the page (alphabetical order):Affiliated practitioners: Practitioners who are active in Arnis/Eskrima but do not belong to any club. Click here to apply for individual affiliation.Blind swinging: Strokes that are not intended to land on a target.Continuous time: Time is not stopped unless referee calls for a halt in the proceedings.Disqualification: When a serious breach of conduct is committed that poses harm or danger to fellow players or officials. Offending player's participation will immediately be dropped from the entire tournament.Excessive force: If a strike is meant to injure or incapacitate the opponent rather than land a clean strike (deemed too much).Loose weapon: When a player, under any circumstance, lets go of the weapon.Minor offence: A less serious violation that warrants either a referee reprimand or a warning.Non-combativeness: When both players fail to engage in a combat for a certain period of time.Sudden death: Final round if the score is still even after the tie-breaker round. First to score a clean strike wins the match.Tie-breaker round: When necessary, round #3 will decide the match winner.Uncontrolled flurries: Countless and fast strikes that are deemed unmeaningful and unnecessary.ADDENDUM: Any addition to the rules at a later date that the TWG finds relevant.​Eskrima is not measured by how many strikes you throw, but by how well you choose the right one.

Question 16

Sparring Format/Rules - Officiating Officials

Accepted Answer

Referee:Controls the match, ensures safety, and enforces rulesOnly person allowed to stop the fight (e.g. violation, medical, equipment fix)When necessary, will request a conference with the judges regarding severe violation that warrants a disqualificationWill declare the winner for every round after conferring with the judgesJudges:3 per matchIndependently score clean strikesAll 3 judges will confer and adjudicate every round, confirm if scoring is accurate and decide the winnerScorekeeper: Records and tallies results (i.e. points and penalties)Optional: Time keeper

Question 17

Sparring Format/Rules - Match Format

Accepted Answer

Weapon: Single padded sticks (28-30 inches) provided by PHILMAA NZRounds: 2 rounds and a round 3 tie-breaker (when necessary)Round duration: Two (2) minutes eachMandatory rest period: One (1) minute after each roundTie-breaker round (round #3):If the match ends in a tie, one additional two-minute tie-breaker round will be conductedScores reset for this round onlyThe fighter with the highest score winsSudden death round (if score is even/tie after the tie-breaker round): "First to score" a clean hit wins

Question 18

Sparring Format/Rules - Match Area

Accepted Answer

Area: 6 metres x 6 metres (4M x 4M fighting area, plus 1M free zone)Red and blue corners2 additional personnel: 1 coach and 1 assistant allowed per corner

Question 19

Sparring Format/Rules - Scoring System

Accepted Answer

1 point: Clean strike to the legal target areas (head, hands, arms, torso or thighs)1 Point is added to the opponent if the other player accidentally or incidentally lets go of their weapon (see penalties section below)Only one point is awarded for every engagement (this prevents players from striking unnecessarily to score a point)A winner is decided per round. Previous scores are not carried over to the next round.If one player wins both rounds (i.e. rounds 1 and 2), then the match winner is declared.If both players draw the first two rounds, then a round #3 tie-breaker will decide the match winner.If after the tie-breaker round the score is still event, "sudden death" round will ensue (which means "first to score" wins).

Question 20

Sparring Format/Rules - Legal Target Areas

Accepted Answer

HeadTorsoArms and handsThighs (above the knees only; groin area is excluded)

Question 21

Sparring Format/Rules - Illegal Target Areas

Accepted Answer

Spine or the backBack of the headGroinKnees and belowAny part of the body that is unprotected or un-armouredNote: Players will be given a maximum 1-minute recovery time if necessary.

Question 22

Sparring Format/Rules - Definition of a Clean, Dedicated Strike

Accepted Answer

Must land on a legal targetMust be clearly visible to the judgesUnblocked or undeflectedDelivered meaningfully with balance, control, proper structure, and must show clear intent

Question 23

Sparring Format/Rules - Defence and Counter-Striking

Accepted Answer

Fighters may block, control or deflect an incoming strike using their weapon and immediately execute a counter strike.1 point is awarded if the block is clean and the counter lands cleanly.Catching an opponent’s weapon mid-strike is not considered a defensive move and will count as a strike.

Question 24

Sparring Format/Rules - Continuous Fighting Rules

Accepted Answer

Action/time continues for each round unless stopped by the referee.The timer doesn’t stop if there is a clean hit, referee halts the fight, and all judges agree with the call.Fighting can only be stopped for:Medical breakEquipment fixIf a foul is committedIf there is a clean strike scored in by the judges, the referee breaks the engagement but will stay where they are, and not reset in the middle of the fighting mat.It is encouraged that players recognise a clean strike by the other player by ceasing to strike back and agree with the referee that a point is scored.

Question 25

Sparring Format/Rules - Prohibited Actions

Accepted Answer

Strikes on all illegal target areasExcessive forceBlind swingingUncontrolled flurriesThrustingStriking after the stop commandExcessive pushing, prolonged clinching, wrestling, leg sweep and prolonged grabbingAny joint manipulation attempt beyond the wristDeliberately turning your back against your opponentDeliberately obscuring your opponent’s vision or pushing on the headgear10-second non-combativeness (first warning, then 1 point penalty each for both players)Unsportsmanlike conduct

Question 26

Sparring Format/Rules - Penalties

Accepted Answer

Warning for minor offences (not limited to):10-second non-combativenessNot following referee's instructionsExcessive pushingExiting the matHitting an unprotected body partPushing on your opponent’s headgearPenalty for repeated minor offencesAll penalties are tallied to the offender and 1 point is added to the other playerPenalties that are tallied may affect the outcome if score is a draw at the end of each roundOnly 3 penalties are allowed per player per round and will immediately lose the roundLoose weapon: Will be tallied as a penalty against the offender and 1 point score is added to the other player

Filipino Martial Arts Fundraiser (Arnis)

About the Fundraiser Event

Please join us for a free and family-friendly martial arts fundraiser event. 🥋

Photo Gallery and Event Posters

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)