The Author
Tim was adopted into the Waitai Tipene family as an infant, and raised in two cultures, NZ Māori and NZ European.
His tribal affiliations are Ngāti Kurī / Te Uri-o-Hau / Ngāti Whātua
Tim being inducted into the NZ Martial Arts Hall of Fame by Professor Dave Millar
For Warrior Kids Tim received the following acknowledgements:
- Kiwibank New Zealander of the year Local Hero Award in 2015 and 2016.
- NZ Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee, 2013.
A trained counsellor with a graduate certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Tim also holds multiple Black Belt Ranks and teaching titles in various Martial Arts.
Inspirational Speaker: For over two decades Tim shared his story of overcoming an abusive and violent childhood with audiences both young and old.
Tim teaching Warrior Kids in 1999.
Photo from the NZ Herald.
In 1994 Tim created Warrior Kids, a self control and social skills programme for children and teens. For 28 years Tim ran Warrior Kids in schools and communities, changing the lives of thousands of young people and their families.
Book Awards
Tim's first story was published in 1996. Since then he has gone on to write numerous books.
His writing has seen him achieve the following awards.
Pipi and Pou and the Firewoman
Storylines Notable Book 2024.
Te Pukapuka ka Kore e Pānuihia
Finalist - Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for te reo Māori at the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2024.
Pipi and Pou and the Tentacles of the Deep
Storylines Notable Book 2023.
Pipi and Pou and the Raging Mountain
Finalist - Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Junior Fiction Award at the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2023.
Rona Moon
Storylines Notable Te Reo Māori 2021.
Māui - Sun Catcher
Storylines Notable book 2017.
Hinemoa 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.
Haere, Farewell Jack, farewell
Picture Book Honour Award at the 2006 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults.
Named one of the top New Zealand picture books by Waikato University, 2010.
Taming the Taniwha
Selected for the White Ravens International Youth Library Catalogue as one of the world's top 250 children's books for 2002.
Named one of the top New Zealand picture books by Waikato University, 2010.
The Wooden Fish
Storylines Notable book 2000.
Video
The boy who wanted to marry his teacher.
Interview on TV3's The Project.
Mrs Battleship.
Listen to an in depth interview from Radio NZ
where Tim's discusses his book, 'White Moko'. 2020
