How BVO Audit helps the International Taekwon-Do Foundation stay accountable.

“They fit around our timelines, they don’t make it hard work, and they genuinely get what we’re trying to do.” Alex Hayton, CEO

A sport with discipline and heart

The International Taekwon-Do Foundation of New Zealand (ITKD) isn’t your average sporting body. With 3,000 members across 50 clubs, it’s the largest martial arts organisation in the country. Representation matters to ITKD. Some might be surprised by the close gender split with women and girls at 40% of the membership. “We see how women and girls’ self-confidence grows as they gain practical self-defence skills,” notes Alex Hayton, CEO.

It’s the values behind the punches that Alex finds most compelling. “There’s the physical side” says Alex. “But it’s the Do of the Taekwon-Do – the discipline, the respect, the community spirit – that sets Taekwon-Do apart. They actually live it.”

The “Do”, from the Korean word meaning “the way”, speaks to the philosophy behind the martial art – a way of behaving and belonging, not just fighting. It shows up in how students bow to instructors, support each other, and carry themselves in and out of the dojang.

New leadership, fresh perspective

Alex’s career began in finance (he’s a qualified accountant) but a stint helping out at New Zealand Football kickstarted two decades in sports leadership. Before joining ITKD, he spent ten years in rugby league, leading governance and organisational reform.

He came to ITKD not for his martial arts prowess, but to help guide a period of significant change. “We’re an incorporated society, governed by a board and supported by a national network of volunteers,” Alex explains. “That brings with it some real strengths and also some complexity. You’re accountable to your members, but you’re also navigating shifting expectations, demographics, and
ways of engaging with new generations.”

His focus is on strengthening governance, rebuilding participation, and ensuring the organisation stays sustainable and relevant.

Making audit season smooth

As part of modernisation, ITKD needed to find a new audit partner. When their long-standing provider suggested a steep fee increase, Alex began the search for a new firm that understood the sector, could act fast, and would bring clarity to the process.

“BVO came highly recommended. We contacted them and within 24 hours they’d said yes, confirmed the scope, and got us moving. By early December, we were underway. It was a huge relief.”

Audits, especially in incorporated societies, are often seen as a necessary chore. “They can feel like going to the dentist,” Alex says. “But BVO has made the whole experience straightforward and positive.”

Reliable, responsive and straightforward

From day one, BVO Audits impressed. “Even when we’ve had a different contact, the handover is always seamless behind the scenes. Their documentation is excellent, their communication is clear and consistent, and they don’t ask the same question twice.”As a member-funded incorporated society, ITKD has a strong obligation to its community. “We could have chosen a lighter financial review,” Alex says, “but we believe in full transparency. A proper audit gives our members peace of mind that we’re running things well and being good stewards of their contributions.”

With a national roadshow, AGM, and published financials, that independence matters. And BVO delivers.

Would they recommend BVO? “Absolutely,” says Alex. “No hesitation.”