Mrs Battleship.
Tim speaking to Finlayson Park School for Duffy Books in Homes.
The boy who wanted to marry his teacher.
Finlayson Park School for Duffy Books in Homes.
Being kicked out of High School.
Blockhouse Bay Intermediate
How not to make friends.
Birkenhead Primary
For two decades Tim Tipene has been sharing his inspirational story
of overcoming a violent and abusive childhood and breaking the cycle with audiences both young and old.
Tim has spoken in schools through Duffy Books in Homes, Storylines, the NZ Book Council and Getting Kids into Books. Tim was a speaker at the 2017 Auckland Writers Festival and has been a part of the Sir Peter Blake Dream Team of Leaders.
To have Tim speak at your school or event phone
Rosemary on 021 840 898
News
Check out Tim's latest updates!
Tim as a child with some of his aunties
Tim Tipene 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.
Tim's tribal affiliations are Ngati Kuri and Ngati Whatua.
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. He has spent his life transforming the lives of others, often without any form of payment.
Tim Tipene with one of his childhood heroes, Mrs Battersby, 2017
For 25 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, an art of personal development and warrior training.
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 Local Hero and received a Medal in recognition of his contribution to the lives of others.
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.
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
Tim was first published in 1996. He is the author of ten books, five of which have won awards.
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