Isabellah McGregor admits to 'punching her dad around” at home.

But the pint-sized budoka from Papamoa explains it's just point-scoring in a karate, fun kind of dad and daughter way. But father Joseph McGregor says if that's the case, why does she leave bruises?

Sam Crawford, 10, and Isabellah McGregor, 11, with their coach and Isabella's father Joseph McGregor, who are all off to India to fight. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Joshing aside, this dad and daughter are a dynamic family duo – both have just been named in the New Zealand karate team for the Commonwealth Karate Championships in India from September 18-20.

'I jumped through the roof when I found out,” admits Joe. 'I'm hugely proud.”

His more grounded 11-year-old is 'pretty pleased” with herself. However, her best friend Daisy 'exploded” when she heard of Isabellah's national honour.

Dad, daughter and another Papamoa youngster, 10-year-old Sam Crawford, are the first from our seaside neighbourhood to represent New Zealand at karate and understood to be the first out of the Bay of Plenty for some 20 years.

And, of course, a dad and daughter in the same national sporting team is a phenomenon in itself.

At 37, Joe is the self-confessed 'old b*stard” in the team and Isabellah is one of the youngest.

Karate is in their blood – Joe's dad was a fighter and instructor, Joe was fighting before he pulled on his first school uniform at five and Isabellah 'was born fighting”.

Dad says she's strong and fast, even though she's small for her age. Small with a modest appreciation of her ability.

'I think I'm quite good at karate because I train hard,” she says. Training hard is a seven-hour weekly commitment for this disciplined youngster and will be stepped up as they approach the world championships.

'I will be fighting against the rest of the world – that's scary, exciting and nerve-wracking,” says Isabellah.

The question has to be asked. Are people frightened of a 10-year-old whose hands can become a weapon?

'No,” says Isabellah 'but they know not to get on my bad side”.

She chooses not to use her skills outside the ring. 'Unless, it was a really bad situation,” she qualifies. 'And it helps to know I can defend myself.”

Karate is a 'perfect fit” for Joe, who says he was too fat and lazy to do anything else.

'I love the teaching and I love the competition, putting myself up against the other guy.”

Dad and daughter are now fundraising. It's going to cost $10,000 for the honour of representing Papamoa and New Zealand.

'But we will be going – it's too big an opportunity to miss,” says Joe, who will take out a personal loan to cover any shortfall.

And there is homework to be done. 'I only know there are elephants in India and the people eat spicy food,” says Isabellah, who is bound for New Delhi this September.

If you can help the McGregors, click here or visit the Karate Papamoa Facebook page.