Tim Tipene

Tim Tipene (born 12 June 1972) is a New Zealand author, motivational speaker, martial arts instructor, trained counsellor, and founder of the youth‑development programme Warrior Kids. He has published over 25 books for children and young adults, and is acknowledged for transforming his traumatic upbringing into tools for empowering thousands of others on a personal level.

In 2026, Tipene received the Margaret Mahy Award for his contribution to children's literature. His books have been the recipients of numerous awards, including the White Ravens International Youth Library Catalogue for "Taming The Taniwha" as one of the world's top 250 children books for 2002. He was adopted as an infant into the Waitai‑Tipene family under adoptive father Willie Tipene with his birth mother Annette (Sherman) Tipene. Raised in a bicultural environment, with his European appearance contrasting with his Māori name, Tipene often experienced identity questions and exclusion from either cultural side. He affiliates with Ngāti Kurī, Te Uri‑o‑Hau, and Ngāti Whātua iwi

In 2013, Tipene was inducted into the New Zealand Martial Arts Hall of Fame, recognised for his peaceful contribution to the martial arts scene in New Zealand

Career Tipene began working at Mount Tabor Trust in Kaukapakapa, Auckland as a residential support person in 1992 until 1994, to which he founded Kura Toa Trust, also known as the Families for Nonviolence Trust. a life skills programme that delivers foundational therapeutic skills in self control, anger management, and emotional awareness through martial arts, catered towards all ages. Since then, he has authored over 25 books, including picture books, junior novels, memoirs, and manuals.

Counselling, speaking, and honours As a speaker, Tipene has delivered talks through Storylines, Duffy Books in Homes, the NZ Book Council, Getting Kids into Books, Writers in Schools, and the Auckland Writers Festival. He also served as part of the Sir Peter Blake Dream Team of Leaders.

Tipene is a trained counsellor with a graduate certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 2002 The Warrior Kids Programme Manual|Manual 095823731X 2002 The Warrior Kids Handout Manual Manual 0-9582373-2-8 2024 Pipi and Pou and the Firewoman|Isobel Te Aho-White 9781990035371 2025 How Many Times?|Nicoletta Benella 9781990042812 2025 Pipi and Pou and the Shadow Below|Isobel Te Aho-White 9781990035470 2025 Pipi and Pou and the Haunted Forest|Isobel Te Aho-White 9781990035487 2019 Ngāti Kurī Proud|Munro Te Whata 9781776698356 School Journal Level 2 November 2019, New Zealand Ministry of Education. 2024 Pipi and Pou and the Forgotten Stream'' Isobel Te Aho-White – A free interactive walking adventure featured on the PickPath App for the 2024 Auckland Writers Festival. Awards and Nominations

Other Awards, Honours, and Certificates