Fighting for fun – New Zealand’s medieval combat scene in Ohura

When Justin Stockbridge first took part in medieval combat, he wore a breastplate made from a wok.

The only places to get armour were from people at Weta Workshop, which was expensive, or to buy it from overseas. As that was 16 years ago, before shopping online was a thing, he didn’t know what he’d get or whether it would fit.

So, he decided to make his own and headed off to buy a $5 hammer and a $15 angle grinder.Later

Now, he makes suits of armour and sells them all over the world. He builds about three a year and has a waiting list from between six months to a year.

Justin and Sophie Stockbridge weapon maker and organiser of  the Ohura annual medieval tournament.

March 2019

2:07

Reporter Helen Harvey