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Taoist Tai Chi Society of New Zealand
(An Incorporated Non-profit Organisation)

Introduction and History

A Brief History

The internal arts and methods of the Taoist Tai Chi Society™ were developed by our founder Master Moy Lin-shin.

Master Moy Lin-shin was a Tai Chi master and Taoist monk who studied Tai Chi, Lok Hup Ba Fa, and other internal Taoist arts for more than 30 years in China and Hong Kong before emigrating to Canada in 1970.

He founded the Toronto Tai Chi Association, and later the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Canada and the International Taoist Tai Chi Society, in order to introduce the health benefits of Taoist Tai Chi™ internal arts and methods to the public. The Taoist Tai Chi Society™ quickly spread to other countries including the USA and England.

In 1990 Cliff and Shelly Slater came out to New Zealand from England for 12 months and began teaching the Taoist Tai Chi™ internal art of taijiquan in Rotorua and Tauranga. Master Moy Lin-shin then made regular visits and held his first New Zealand workshop in Rotorua in November 1991.

On the 18th of March 1991, the Taoist Tai Chi Society of New Zealand was incorporated as a non-profit organisation and in 1993 the building in Hyland Crescent, Rotorua, which became the National Centre of Taoist Tai Chi™ in New Zealand, was purchased. In November 1993 the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism was established in the National Centre and an ongoing program of improvements has seen the completion of a full Chinese kitchen, showers, and a garden area at the rear of the building.

The New Zealand Society now has branches in Rotorua, Tauranga, Hamilton, Matamata, Tokoroa, Te Puke, Wellington, Nelson and Queenstown and is being introduced to other centres throughout the country.

The Aims and Objectives of the Taoist Tai Chi Society™

These aims and objectives of the Taoist Tai Chi Society™ are shared by all branches and affiliates of Taoist Tai Chi Societies world-wide.

1. To Make Taoist Tai Chi™ Available to All

We are dedicated to bringing Taoist Tai Chi™ to every community, so that its many benefits are available to all who wish to experience them.

2. To Promote the Health-Improving Qualities of Taoist Tai Chi™

Practised diligently, Taoist Tai Chi™ cultivates both mind and body to restore and maintain good health. Our efforts are directed at making these health benefits better known and understood, in order to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being in the community.

3. To Promote Cultural Exchange

Through Taoist Tai Chi™ internal arts of health and other activities, we endeavour to make the richness of Chinese culture more accessible and thereby promoting greater understanding and respect among people.

4. To Help Others

The foundation of Taoist Tai Chi™ is compassion. Our underlying charitable orientation is in keeping with the Taoist values of selflessness and service to others. Our inspiration is the example set by our founder, Master Moy Lin-shin, who dedicated his life to helping others without seeking personal gain. For this reason, all our instructors are volunteers, and all our branches operate on a non-profit basis. We also perform other services within the community, and assist other charities whenever possible.