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., as well as a number of Storylines Notable Book Awards for "Pipi and Pou and the Firewoman" (2024),"Pipi and Pou and the Tentacles of the Deep" (2023), "Māui – Sun Catcher" (2017), and "The Wooden Fish" (2000). Tipene has also won honours regarding his contributions to the martial arts scene in New Zealand and for his work in wider communities through the Warrior Kids Programme, including being inducted into the New Zealand Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2013 and being awarded a Kiwibank Local Hero Award in 2015 and 2016
Early life Tipene was born on 12 June 1972 in Henderson, Auckland to birth parents Annette Sherman and convicted sex offender Peter Mead. 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
At the age of 12, Tipene started learning martial arts through Go Shintai Kai Karate And Judo under founder Peter Lee in Dairy Flat, Auckland. The classes incorporated Shotokan Karate and Judo, to which Tipene enjoyed and credits with helping him learn self control. Tipene continued training, eventually discovering other martial arts such as Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu, Kung Fu, and Aikido. Tipene went on to earn multiple ranks and teaching titles in various martial arts including but not limited to a 5th Dan and a Shidoshi license (instructor's certificate) in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, awarded in Japan, 2009 by Dr Masaaki Hatsumi, and a 5th Dan in Ai Shin Do Bujutsu (mixed martial arts) awarded in New Zealand, 2007.
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.
Warrior Kids In the same year, Tipene went on to create Warrior Kids,https://warriorkids.com a life skills programme that delivers foundational therapeutic skills in self control, anger management, and emotional awareness through martial arts, catered towards all ages. Tipene continued to run Warrior Kids in schools and communities nationwide for almost three decades until 2022, assisting and mentoring the lives of thousands of children and adults and their families, while only ever receiving funding for a period of 6 months.
Writing career Tipene's first book "The Wooden Fish" was published in 1996. 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.
Publications +Year PublishedTitleIllustratorISBNRef1999 The Wooden FishJennifer Cooper 18694882612001 Taming the TaniwhaHenry Campbell1-877266-52-32002The Warrior Kids Programme ManualManual095823731X2002 The Warrior Kids Handout Manual Manual0-9582373-2-82004 Kura toa: Warrior SchoolNovel978-1-877514-02-92005 Haere, Farewell, Jack, FarewelHuhana Smith1-86969-104-02006 Warrior KidsNovel978-1-86948-425-52008 Hinemoa Te ToaJohn Bennett978-1-86943-818-02008 Rewa Finds His WingsJo Thapa978-1-86978-042-52011 Warrior Kids, Warrior Training For ChildrenManual978-1-877514-22-72012 PatuNovel978-1-877514-50-02012 Bullies And WarriorsNovel978-0-947506-30-82016 Maui – Sun CatcherZak Waipara978-0-947506-14-82019 Mrs BattleshipNovel978-0-9951067-9-62020 Rona MoonTheresa Reihana978-0-947506-73-52020 White MokoNovel978-0-9951067-8-92022 Pipi and Pou and the Raging MountainIsobel Te Aho-White97819900352272022 Pipi and Pou and the River MonsterIsobel Te Aho-White97819900352342023 Pipi and Pou and the Tentacles of the DeepIsobel Te Aho-White97819900352892023 Pipi and Pou and the 100 legs of terrorIsobel Te Aho-White97819900352962023 The Book that Wouldn't ReadNicoletta Benella978-1-99-004231-72024 Pipi and Pou and the waves of destructionIsobel Te Aho-White97819900353642024 Pipi and Pou and the FirewomanIsobel Te Aho-White97819900353712024 The Ever-standing treeAni Huia Ligaliga978-1-99-004260-72025How Many Times?Nicoletta Benella97819900428122025Pipi and Pou and the Shadow BelowIsobel Te Aho-White97819900354702025Pipi and Pou and the Haunted ForestIsobel Te Aho-White9781990035487
Other Publications +YearTitleIllustratorISBNFeatured InRef2007 I Dream Morning Bruce Potter9781869780159Out of the Deep and other stories from New Zealand and the Pacific, Reed Publishing Ltd.2019 Ngāti Kurī ProudMunro Te Whata9781776698356School Journal Level 2 November 2019, New Zealand Ministry of Education.2024 Pipi and Pou and the Forgotten StreamIsobel Te Aho-White –A free interactive walking adventure featured on the PickPath App for the 2024 Auckland Writers Festival.
Awards and nominations +YearTitleAwardCategoryResultRef2000The Wooden FishStorylines Notable Book AwardsPicture BookWon2002Taming the TaniwhaThe White RavensSelected2002Taming the TaniwhaThe LIANZA Children and Young Adult Book AwardsEsther Glen Junior Fiction AwardNominated2006Haere, Farewell, Jack, farewellNew Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young AdultsPicture Book Honour AwardWon2009Hinemoa te toaThe LIANZA Children and Young Adult Book AwardsTe Kura PounamuNominated2009Hinemoa te toaThe LIANZA Children and Young Adult Book AwardsTe Tohu Taurapa mō te wahanga Pukapuka PikitiaWon2009Hinemoa te toaThe LIANZA Children and Young Adult Book AwardsTe Tohu Pounamu mo te wahanga KaiwhakamaoriWon2010Taming the TaniwhaNew Zealand Picture Book CollectionSelected2010Haere, Farewell, Jack, farewellNew Zealand Picture Book CollectionSelected2017Māui – Sun CatcherStorylines Notable Book AwardsPicture BookWon2021Rona MoonStorylines Notable Book AwardsTe Reo MāoriWon2023Pipi and Pou and the Raging MountainNZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, Wright Family FoundationEsther Glen Junior Fiction AwardFinalist2023Pipi and Pou and the Tentacles of the DeepStorylines Notable Book AwardsJunior FictionWon2024The Book that Wouldn't ReadNZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, Wright Family FoundationTe Kura Pounamu Award for te reo MāoriFinalist2024Pipi and Pou and the FirewomanStorylines Notable Book AwardsJunior FictionWon2025Pipi and Pou and the Shadow BelowStorylines Notable Book AwardsJunior FictionWon2025Pipi and Pou and the Haunted ForestStorylines Notable Book AwardsJunior FictionWon
Other Awards, Honours, and Certificates +YearAwardResultRef2013New Zealand Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inducted2015Kiwibank Local Hero Medalist
References
External links Official website Warrior Kids