- From Pain to Purpose
Tim as a child with some of his aunties
Tim Waitai-Tipene, (Ngati Kuri/Ngati Whatua), was adopted into the Waitai-Tipene whanau as a toddler. He was raised in two cultures, NZ Maori and NZ European. Tim's immediate family were abusive and violent. His biological father was a convicted predator and violent offender who spent much of life behind bars. It was only with the extended whanau that Tim felt loved.
Expelled from high school Tim went through a number of jobs, homes and relationships before he managed to find help to address his past.
Through a combination of therapy, martial arts and personal development, Tim overcame his abusive and violent childhood and broke the cycle. At 17 he started community work and has spent his life transforming the lives of others.
Tim Tipene with one of his childhood heroes, Mrs Battersby, 2017
For 26 years Tim has been changing lives through his acclaimed Warrior Kids program and Toatoi classes, his award winning books and his inspirational talks. Tim has featured on television, radio and in various magazines and newspapers.
Tim started martial arts at the age of 12 and over 35 years has gained a number of Black Belt Dan ranks and teaching titles.
In 1994 at the age of 22, Tim was unemployed and had no fixed abode. Without any formal qualifications or funding, Tim consolidated his learning and experience and created Toatoi, a personal development and therapeutic Martial Art.
That same year he also established Kura Toa Warrior School to house his Toatoi classes, including the Warrior Kids program which he used to help kids in his community.
In 2013 Tim was inducted into the New Zealand Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
In 2014 Tim was recognised as a Kiwibank New Zealander of the year Local Hero and received a Medal in recognition of his contribution to the lives of others.
Tim has twice been the Chairperson for the Nga Uri O Hetaraka Waitai-Tipene Whanau Committee.
Tim has also been an advocate for adults with special needs, a self-defence instructor for women and a facilitator of Anger Management and Living Without Violence programs for men.
Tim interviewed by Remuera Primary School, July 2019.
- Warrior Kids
Self Control and Social Skills for Children and Teens
The renowned child centered class where the focus is on personal development. Warrior Kids is a high impact, full on, non-stop Toatoi adventure for children, involving games and challenges where students become champions of life.
Tim has provided Warrior Kids to communities and schools for 25 years, taking referrals from community and government agencies, and changing the lives of thousands of children and their families. In all that time Tim's Warrior Kids classes only ever received 6 months of funding.
Tim became a trained counsellor and gained a graduate certificate in
Child and Adolescent Mental Health in 2000.
Actor Teuila Blakely talks Warrior Kids
25 Years of
Warrior Kids
TVNZ talk
Warrior Kids
Parents talk
Warrior Kids
Book Store
Check out Tim's Books!
Tim was first published in 1996. He is the author of eleven books, five of which have won awards.
Mrs Battleship22.00Mrs Battleship is a collection for junior readers: vignettes from Tim's primary school years - both funny and sad, such as when he realised that not all children suffered as he did - a light-bulb moment for him. There were several teachers in his journey that championed him, who saw what was happening at home - and they made a life-changing difference. This is a collection about truth and triumph. It contains helplines and free teachers notes on One Tree House's website - making it a ground-breaking book for reading aloud and class discussion.QuantityAll options are out of stockWarrior Kids - Warrior Training for Children44.99In 1994 Tim started the Warrior Kids programme and went on to provide it to communities and schools for over 20 years, changing the lives of thousands of children and their families. This book features the complete ten sessions of the Warrior Kids' in-school programme in an easy to use format. Focusing on bringing out the warrior within, the Warrior Kids programme draws on Maori warrior concepts and Eastern martial arts in a non-aggressive way designed to instill confidence, respect and self-control, leading children to become masters of their lives. Published 2009 by Oratia Books.QuantityThe Wooden Fish24.99A Storylines Notable Book for 2000.
Hanseni wants to help his mother and father but he's too little. Then one day the fishermen of the village return with no fish and the villagers have to go hungry. As each day passes there is still no food for the village. How can Hanseni help his village and make his father happy again? The Wooden Fish is a beautifully told story about a special gift from a son to his father. Illustrated by Jennifer Cooper.
First published 1996 by Learning Media. Re-published 1999 by Reed Publishing.QuantityAll options are out of stockBullie and Warriors24.99Going to school is a misery for Sean. Whatever he does to avoid the school bully, Mark Thomas and his mates always catch up with him. Then the students join Warrior Kids, a programme that teaches leadership and self-control. So begins a journey for Mark and Sean that has a predictable outcome for one boy and a surprise for the other. This novel for 8 years and older is a realistic insight into school life as it is for many children. It offers strategies to address bullying for children on both sides of the problem. First published as Warrior Kids by Reed Publishing, 2006. Re-pub 2012, Oratia.QuantityHaere, Farewell, Jack, farewell24.99Haere received a Picture Book Honour Award at the 2006 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults. It was named one of the top New Zealand picture books by Waikato University in 2010.
A death is mourned, a birth is celebrated, and a little girl sees that life comes full circle. A poetic and moving tale by Tim Tipene, with evocative illustrations by Huhanna Smith. Published 2005 by Huia Publishers.QuantityKura Toa Warrior School24.99In this novel for young adults, Haki must confront his fears and find a way to answer the challenge to serve his people, to serve his land, to fight a Taniwha and, ultimately, to become a warrior. An imiginative expression of Tim Tipene's warrior philosophy. First published 2004 by Reed Publishing. Re-published 2009 by Oratia Books.QuantityTaming the Taniwha24.99Taming the Taniwha was a White Raven title for 2002 and was named one of the top New Zealand picture books by Waikato University in 2010. Tama needs to find out just how to tame the meanest, greenest taniwha he's ever met.
A great book for kids to explore different methods of dealing with bullies and an effective tool to generate discussion.
Illustrated by Henry Campbell. Published 2001 by Huia Publishers.QuantityHinemoa te toa24.99Hinemoa 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.
Hinemoa was tough. 'I am a warrior,' she'd say, 'Hinemoa te toa - just like my ancestors.' Is there anything Hinemoa is afraid of. Illustrated by John Bennett. Published 2008 by Scholastic New Zealand.QuantityRewa finds his Wings24.99Rewa works at a job he doesn't enjoy. He often imagines being a bird and flying away. His worried mother sends him to a Tohunga, a wise man. The Tohunga grants Rewa his wish. Rewa flits as a Piwaiwaka, swoops as a Kereru and dances through the air as a Tui. Then even the Tohunga cannot bring him back to earth as Rewa flies higher and higher. Illustrated by Jo Thapa. Published 2008 by Raupo Publishing.QuantityPatu24.99In this powerful novel for teenagers, 16-year-old Jahnine is having to fend for herself amidst a series of family misfortunes, with her mother in hospital battling cancer and her brother gone without a trace. Family legend has it that a Patu taken during the Land Wars by her great-great-grandfather has left a curse on them. Determined to return the Patu and lift the curse, Jahnine turns to a strange Maori boy, Andy, and follows him away from Auckland to try and put things right. Nothing turns out the way she imagines in this powerful, realistic novel.
Published 2012 by Oratia Books.QuantityMaui - Sun Catcher24.99A Storylines Notable book for 2017.
Imaginative, powerful and fun, Maui - Sun Catcher is award-winning author Tim Tipene's modern take on the classic story of Maui catching the sun, with vivid illustrations by well-known illustrator Zak Waipara and translated by Rob Ruha. This handsome hardback is in English and Maori.
Oratia Books, 2016QuantityMedia
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