Tim on TV3's 'The Project' 2019.
Remuera Primary School 2019.
NZ Martial Arts Hall of Fame 2019.
Listen to an in depth interview from Radio NZ
where Tim's discusses his latest book, 'White Moko'. 2020
Self Control and Social Skills for Children and Teens
The renowned child centred class where the focus is on personal development. Warrior Kids is a high impact, full on, non-stop adventure for children, involving games and challenges where students become champions of life.
Tim has provided Warrior Kids to communities and schools for 27 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.
For two decades Tim 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 has been a speaker at the Auckland Writers Festival and was a part of the Sir Peter Blake Dream Team of Leaders.
Here are some of his talks for you to enjoy
The boy who wanted to marry his teacher.
Tim speaking to Finlayson Park School for Duffy Books in Homes.
My sister liked
to fight boys.
Mrs Battleship.
Being kicked out of school.
To have Tim speak at your school or event in person or via Zoom
phone Alana and Rosemary on 021 840 898
Sit back and relax while Tim reads some of his books to you.
Rona Moon
Butterfly Tape from
Mrs Battleship
Hinemoa te toa
Taming the Taniwha
A playlist of Tim's readings.
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 27 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.
Available at all good book stores.
Message Tim
© 2017