Tim Tipene
Founder of Warrior Kids & Award-winning author.
- Warrior Kids -
Tim is a trailblazer in holistic youth development in New Zealand. In 1994 he created Warrior Kids, a self control and social skills programme to share the tools that he'd used to transform his own life.
His programme quickly gained respect across NZ for its positive impact on kids, especially those from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Tim ran Warrior Kids in schools and communities independently for 28 years, only ever receiving 6 months of funding. He helped thousands of children and families across the country - and has become a role model for turning pain into purpose.
Tim teaching Warrior Kids in 1999.
Photo from the NZ Herald.
Papa Tim being inducted into the NZ Martial Arts Hall of Fame by Professor Dave Millar.
For Warrior Kids Papa Tim received the following acknowledgements:
- Kiwibank New Zealander of the year Local Hero Award in 2015 and 2016.
- NZ Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee, 2013.
- Inspirational Speaker -
For over two decades, Tim has been sharing his story of overcoming an abusive and violent childhood, and of breaking the cycle, with audiences both young and old. Through his talks he encourages people to lead a warrior life, overcoming adversity and achieving their goals.
- Black Belt -
A trained counsellor with a graduate certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Tim also holds multiple Black Belt Ranks and teaching titles in various Martial Arts including...
- 5th Dan Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Japan 2009. Dr Masaaki Hatsumi.
- Shidoshi License Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Japan 2009. Dr Masaaki Hatsumi.
- 5th Dan Ai Shin Do Bujutsu, NZ 2007. Mixed martial arts. Dwane Morgan & Chris Nicholson.
- 2nd Dan Go Shintai Kai Karate, NZ 1992. A blend of Shotokan Karate and Judo under Peter Lee.
- Chief Instructor Go Shintai Kai Karate, NZ 1992.
Tim discovered martial arts in his youth, which became a key turning point for him. But instead of focussing on fighting, he connected deeply with the discipline, control, and inner strength martial arts taught him.
- Childhood -
Tim Tipene was adopted into the Waitai Tipene family, and raised in two cultures, NZ Māori and NZ European.
His tribal affiliations are Ngāti Kurī / Te Uri-o-Hau / Ngāti Whātua
Tim has often spoken of the love that he received from members of his wider whānau, (family), and also of being rejected by both cultures.
- Book Awards -
Tim's first story was published in 1996. Since then he has gone on to write numerous books.
His writing has seen him achieve the following awards.
Pipi and Pou and the Firewoman
Storylines Notable Book 2024.
Te Pukapuka ka Kore e Pānuihia
Finalist - Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for te reo Māori at the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2024.
Pipi and Pou and the Tentacles of the Deep
Storylines Notable Book 2023.
Pipi and Pou and the Raging Mountain:
Finalist - Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Junior Fiction Award at the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2023.
Rona Moon:
Storylines Notable Te Reo Māori 2021.
Māui - Sun Catcher:
Storylines Notable book 2017.
Hinemoa te toa:
Received two awards at the 2009 LIANZA Children's Book Awards: Te Tohu Pounamu mo te wahanga Kaiwhakamaori and Te Tohu Taurapa mo te whahanga Pukapuka Pikitia.
Haere, Farewell Jack, farewell:
Picture Book Honour Award at the 2006 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults.
Named one of the top New Zealand picture books by Waikato University, 2010.Taming the Taniwha:
Selected for the White Ravens International Youth Library Catalogue as one of the world's top 250 children's books for 2002.
Named one of the top New Zealand picture books by Waikato University, 2010.The Wooden Fish:
Storylines Notable book 2000.
- Watch Tim's inspirational story -
'You only have to look at my life, where I've come from,
the changes I've made, the accomplishments,
and you can see the effectiveness of Warrior Kids.'
- Tim Tipene
Listen to an in depth interview from Radio NZ
where Papa Tim's discusses his latest book, 'White Moko'. 2020
You can read about Papa Tim's life in the following books.
Available at all good book stores.
Video
Papa Tim talks Warrior Kids 2016
