Kaimahi with Cool Hobbies—Wendy Jarnet

Photo: Wendy Jarnet at 2^nd degree black belt grading in December 2020 (split lip and all). Pictured are Wendy (centre) Pat Bishop (martial arts, boxing extraordinaire) on the left and Murray Milgrew (former NZ kick boxing champ) on the right.

Wendy Jarnet is a lecturer in the School of Vet Nursing. Not only does she have a very cool hobby, she also holds a very surprising Guiness World Record. Read to the end to find out what it is!

When she’s not busy helping furry critters and teaching the next generation of vet nurses, Wendy is a martial arts instructor.

“I practice Kiaido Ryu Martial Arts, which was established in the 1980’s based on the Okinawa style of Japanese Karate. Kiaido Ryu includes ground fighting, applications, kata patterns and free sparring—a little bit of everything.”

Wendy describes being a shy kid who was bullied at school. A family friend happened to be the Grand Master of Kiaido Ryu, and suggested Wendy come along and try it out.

“I was terrified the first day! But I kept at it. I love the physical side and the practical self-defence application. But mostly I appreciate the philosophy of the ‘warrior’s way’ that applies across your whole life.”

Through Kiaido Ryu Wendy found her confidence and her voice. She qualified as an instructor and black belt at the age of 15. As she got busy in her twenties, she dipped in and out of martial arts but ultimately kept coming back because of the philosophy and the formative effect it had on her as a person.

“I grew in confidence, and I want to give that to the students I teach. And if I can be an inspiration or role model to girls who were like me, who need a confidence boost, even better.”

Wendy now has her 2^nd degree black belt. To achieve that, she completed a grading known colloquially as ‘the marathon’ or ‘the blood grading’—30 two-minute rounds of sparring plus four kata patterns. It is the pinnacle physical challenge of the grading system.

In December, Wendy will go through the test for her 3^rd degree black belt, which is where you earn the title of ‘sensei’. This grading is about becoming more of a leader and teacher, through demonstrating the ability to break down, teach and create the forms that make the martial art.

“The black belt degrees above three are about commitment and dedication to the community and being able to contribute to the future development of the artform.”

But Kiaido Ryu is not the only hobby that Wendy is committed to.

“I hold the official Guiness Book of World Records record for the largest collection of zebra-related items,” Wendy laughs.

How did that come about?

“I was a difficult person to buy for, so my mother said I needed to pick something to collect. I thought I was being clever by picking zebras, but my family and friends rose to the challenge!”

Achieving the record was a yearlong process of sending evidence to the UK to support the record. At the time, Wendy had over 500 zebras in her collection. Since then, the herd has multiplied to over 1000!

“I get strangers who send me zebras because they’ve seen I hold the record. It’s very cool—I get zebras from all around the world!”

Wendy and a selection of her zebras showing off their official Guiness World Record certificate in 2014.

Kaimahi with Cool Hobbies is a new ongoing series to celebrate the awesome things you didn’t know about your colleagues. If you are a kaimahi with a cool hobby and would like to be featured in an upcoming article, please contact Claire at claire.lacey@op.ac.nz