Taupō · Tūrangi · New Zealand
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for every age, every body, and every fitness level — whether you're already active or ready to trade the couch for the mats. No ego here — just whānau, discipline, and the kind of confidence that sticks.
Why Train With Us
Train under a lineage that has shaped UFC fighters and world-class competitors for generations — traced all the way back to the founders of the art.
When a visiting black belt steps on our mats, it's not just any name off a flyer — it's the very lineage we teach from, like Tau's own coach, John Ouano.
Head Coach Tau Thompson holds his black belt directly in John Ouano's lineage — seven generations of instruction, taught to you personally, and backed by a 2019 SJJIF gold medal in both gi and no-gi.
Who We Are
TANK Jiujitsu isn't just a gym — it's a whānau. Whether you're stepping onto the mats for the very first time or you've been training for years, you'll find a community built on respect, hard work, and genuine support. Every class is coached with patience and precision, so you progress at a pace that's right for you.
TANK is founded and led by Owner & Head Coach Tau Thompson, dedicated to developing strong technique and stronger character in every student who steps on the mats — from Mini Tanks to seasoned competitors, across both Taupō and Tūrangi.
Training Programs
Three adult programs under one All-Access membership, plus Mini Tanks for the kids. Everyone starts somewhere — most people start with Fundamentals.
Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for every fitness level, from your very first class to competition-ready. Everyone starts with Beginners Fundamentals — the core positions, escapes, and submissions, at a pace that respects exactly where you're starting from — before moving into live rolling and technique refinement.
Included in the Tank All-Access Membership.
Conditioning and circuit training for full-body strength and fitness — no jiu-jitsu experience needed. Whether you're already active or making the first move off the couch, this is a straightforward way in.
Included in the Tank All-Access Membership.
Dedicated jiu-jitsu for tamariki, focused on discipline, self-confidence, and movement inside a supportive team culture.
Enrollment is application-based, to help us uphold the standard of the program.
Apply for Mini TanksWall and ground training built to sharpen technique and forge fight-ready toughness — for competitors and anyone ready to push past their limits.
Included in the Tank All-Access Membership.
Membership
One membership covers every adult program. Mini Tanks runs on its own kids' pricing.
Family rates are available on enquiry — get in touch to find the right fit for your whānau. Private sessions are quoted separately — see Private Training.
Meet The Team
Leading TANK Jiujitsu — himself a 2019 SJJIF World Champion in gi and no-gi — with a focus on technique, discipline, and building a genuine whānau on the mats, from Mini Tanks to seasoned competitors.
Bringing discipline and heart to Fundamentals and Mini Tanks classes.
Focused on sharp technique and strong fundamentals for every belt level.
Every coach here traces back through an unbroken chain of black belts to the founders of the art — from Jigoro Kano's judo school in 1880s Tokyo, through the Gracie family, to Tau's own coach, John Veloso Ouano. See the full lineage ↓
Private Training & Seminars
Sharpen a specific weakness, prep for competition, or move at your own pace with private sessions and seminars led directly by Tau Thompson. Available at both locations, by appointment.
Where We Come From
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, lineage is everything — the chain of instructors who passed the art down, black belt to black belt, like a mat family tree. Ours runs from a judo school in 1880s Tokyo, through Belém and Rio de Janeiro, to Los Angeles, and finally to the mats in Taupō and Tūrangi. Tap through the names below to see who they were, what they achieved, and how old they lived to be.
Tap or click anyone in the chain — you'll see who they were, what they achieved, and (where it's known) how old they lived to be.
← scroll to see the whole chain →
From a Tokyo judo school in 1882 to two lineage promotions this year — click through anyone above then follow their story, or dive straight in.
On The Mats
A few real moments from Taupō and Tūrangi — training, promotions, and the whānau that makes this place what it is.
Community & Culture
Through the year we run belt promotions, seminars with visiting black belts, and a few TANK-only traditions that make the culture here what it is.
From Our Whānau
Mat Rules & FAQ
Shower before every class, keep nails trimmed short, and train in a clean gi or rashguard. It's the easiest way to look after your training partners.
Shoes stay at the edge of the mat. If you need to step off for the bathroom or water, slides are fine — just don't walk the mat area in them.
A quick bow onto the mats is tradition here. When a coach is talking, all eyes and ears are on them.
There's no ego in tapping. Protecting your training partner — and yourself — always comes first.
Check our Facebook group for gi vs no-gi sessions. If you're ever unsure what to wear, ask — we'd rather you ask than guess.
If you're new or coming back from injury, say so before rolling. Everyone on our mats remembers being new once.
Arrive about 10 minutes early, wear comfortable athletic clothing (a gi isn't required for your first class), and introduce yourself to a coach. No experience needed — you'll be shown everything.
No. Training is how you build fitness, not a prerequisite for it — whether you're already active or this is the first time you've stepped off the couch, all levels are welcome from day one.
Not for your first class. Once you're training regularly, a coach will help you pick the right gi and gear.
Mini Tanks welcomes tamariki from around school age. Get in touch and we'll confirm the right fit for your child.
Every class is coached, and training is built around control, not chaos. Our tap-early culture keeps sparring safe at every level.
Yes — that's exactly what your two free trial classes are for.
No pressure, no experience required — your first two classes are free, so just show up and see what whānau on the mats feels like.
Free Trial
Tell us a bit about you and we'll lock in your first two classes.
