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National Federation · Fencing · New Zealand

Fencing New Zealand (FeNZ)

New Zealand’s national fencing body, which states that it was incorporated in 1938 as the New Zealand Amateur Fencing Association; the FIE lists it under the Oceania Fencing Confederation.
✓ Last reviewed: October 2026
Incorporated15 June 1938, as the New Zealand Amateur Fencing Association (Inc.), according to the federation’s governance page[4]
Address60 Porterfield Road, Whitford, Auckland 2571, as listed by the FIE[1]
International federationFIE — Fédération Internationale d’Escrime, which lists it as “Fencing New-Zealand”[1]
Continental bodyOceania Fencing Confederation, under which the FIE’s directory places it[1]
PresidentPeter Kell, as listed by the FIE (“KELL Peter”, October 2026)[1]

What is FeNZ?

Fencing New Zealand (FeNZ) is the national body for fencing in New Zealand. Its site describes it as “The official national organisation for fencing in Aotearoa New Zealand” and as “The national home for fencing.”[3] The FIE lists it as “Fencing New-Zealand”, with Peter Kell as president and Kirsten Hansen as secretary general.[1]

What does FeNZ govern or do?

The federation keeps the national register of fencers. Its membership page states: “All fencers are required to affiliate with Fencing New Zealand and register with the Region in which they live.”[5] It offers competitive, recreational and associate membership, the last for “a volunteer, coach, referee or official”, and says that membership lets it “confirm competition eligibility”.[5]

Its site carries sections on clubs, competitions, rankings, safeguarding and governance.[3] In June 2026 it announced the appointment of a lead for implementing a new organisational structure.[3]

When was FeNZ founded and where is it based?

The federation’s governance page states: “On the 15th June 1938 the national federation was incorporated as the New Zealand Amateur Fencing Association (Inc.)”, with four provincial councils, Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago-Southland.[4] The same page records that in 1997 “the association officially changed its name to Fencing New Zealand.”[4] The FIE lists its address as 60 Porterfield Road, Whitford, Auckland 2571.[1]

How is FeNZ recognised?

International federation. The Fédération Internationale d’Escrime lists Fencing New-Zealand in its directory of national federations.[1] The FIE states that it has “156 affiliated Member Federations”, and lists five continental confederations that it recognises.[2]

Continental body. The FIE’s directory places the federation under the Oceania Fencing Confederation, with Andrea Chaplin as its president; the FIE’s page for that confederation reads “7 members”.[1]

What does FeNZ organise?

National championships. The federation’s governance page states that “The first national championships were held in 1939.”[4] Its events calendar lists the National Senior & Veteran Championships for 24 October 2026, and its home page gives the venue as Nga Puna Wai Stadium, Christchurch.[7][3]

Regional events. The same calendar lists the Mid-South Open Championships on 3 October 2026 and the Russell Towns Championship, a ranking event in the South region, on 17 October 2026.[7]

Who are its members?

Individual fencers affiliate with the federation and their region together: “Affiliation signs you up with both Fencing New Zealand and your Region.”[5] The governance page records that the four provincial councils were renamed in 1997 as “Fencing North, Fencing Central, Fencing Mid-South and Fencing South.”[4]

Clubs join through an application approved by the regional secretary and then by the federation’s secretary general.[5] Its club directory lists affiliated clubs by region, among them the Auckland Swords Club, the Wellington Swords Club, the University of Canterbury Fencing Club and the Claymore Swords Club in Dunedin.[6]

References

  1. FIE — Oceania Fencing Confederation: confederation details and national federations (directory). Accessed 2026-10-17.
  2. FIE — About the FIE (member federations and continental confederations). Accessed 2026-10-17.
  3. Fencing New Zealand — home page (self-description, events, news). Accessed 2026-10-17.
  4. Fencing New Zealand — Governance (history, incorporation, regions). Accessed 2026-10-17.
  5. Fencing New Zealand — Membership. Accessed 2026-10-17.
  6. Fencing New Zealand — Clubs (directory by region). Accessed 2026-10-17.
  7. Fencing New Zealand — Events calendar (October 2026). Accessed 2026-10-17.