Draft:Tim Tipene
New Zealand Author
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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.[1][2].
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Submission declined on 17 November 2025 by Asilvering (talk).
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Comment: The subject certainly appears to pass our inclusion guidelines for biographies. However, most of the article is sourced to what he says about himself, not what independent, secondary sources say about himself. This is especially crucial in this article because it contains many strongly negative claims about other people. Please see WP:BLP. This is a complex problem to solve and not one that most first-time submitters have to deal with, so please reach out for help if you need it. WP:TEA is a good place, or WP:BLPN. asilvering (talk) 10:37, 17 November 2025 (UTC)
12 June 1972
Tim Tipene | |
|---|---|
| Born | Timothy Aldon Mead 12 June 1972 New Zealand |
| Occupations | Author, motivational speaker, martial artist |
| Notable work | Warrior Kids, Kura Toa, Pipi and Pou |
| Children | Taiyang Tipene, Tahlia Tipene |
| Website | timtipene.com |
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[1], 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[1][2].
Early life
Tipene was born on 12 June 1972 in Henderson, Auckland to birth parents Annette Sherman and convicted sex offender Peter Mead[3]. He was adopted as an infant into the Waitai‑Tipene family under adoptive father Willie Tipene with his birth mother Annette (Sherman) Tipene[4][5]. 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[6]. He affiliates with Ngāti Kurī, Te Uri‑o‑Hau, and Ngāti Whātua iwi[1].
At the age of 12, Tipene started attending Karate classes at a club in Dairy Flat, Auckland, called Go Shintai Kai, where they taught Shotokan Karate, to which he enjoyed immensely and credits with helping him learn self control[4]. Tipene continued training, eventually discovering other martial arts such as Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu, Kung Fu, and Aikido[6][4]. 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 by Dwane Morgan and Chris Nicholson[1][7][8].
In 2013, Tipene was inducted in to the New Zealand Martial Arts Hall of Fame, recognised for his peaceful contribution to the martial arts scene in New Zealand[9]
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[5].
Warrior Kids
In the same year, Tipene went on to create Warrior Kids, a life skills programme that delivers foundational therapeutic skills in self control, anger management, and emotional awareness through martial arts, catered towards all ages[2][5]. 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[6][4].
Writing career
Tipene's first book "The Wooden Fish" was published in 1996[10]. Since then, he has authored over 25 books, including picture books, junior novels, memoirs, and manuals.
Counselling, speaking, and honours
Tipene has also worked as a counsellor and speaker, delivering workshops through Duffy Books in Homes, the NZ Book Council, and the Auckland Writers Festival (2017). He also served as part of the Sir Peter Blake Dream Team of Leaders.[1][2]
Tipene also holds a graduate certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, as well as qualifications in Māori family therapy[5].
Publications
| Year Published | Title | Illustrator | ISBN | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | The Wooden Fish | Jennifer Cooper | 1869488261 | [10] |
| 2001 | Taming the Taniwha | Henry Campbell | 1-877266-52-3 | [11] |
| 2002 | The Warrior Kids Programme Manual | Manual | 095823731X | [12] |
| 2002 | The Warrior Kids Handout Manual | Manual | 0-9582373-2-8 | [5] |
| 2004 | Kura toa: Warrior School | Novel | 978-1-877514-02-9 | [11] |
| 2005 | Haere, Farewell, Jack, Farewel | Huhana Smith | 1-86969-104-0 | [1] |
| 2006 | Warrior Kids | Novel | 978-1-86948-425-5 | [1] |
| 2008 | Hinemoa Te Toa | John Bennett | 978-1-86943-818-0 | [1] |
| 2008 | Rewa Finds His Wings | Jo Thapa | 978-1-86978-042-5 | [11] |
| 2011 | Warrior Kids, Warrior Training For Children | Manual | 978-1-877514-22-7 | [11] |
| 2012 | Patu | Novel | 978-1-877514-50-0 | [11] |
| 2012 | Bullies And Warriors | Novel | 978-0-947506-30-8 | [1] |
| 2016 | Maui – Sun Catcher | Zak Waipara | 978-0-947506-14-8 | [1] |
| 2019 | Mrs Battleship | Novel | 978-0-9951067-9-6 | [11] |
| 2020 | Rona Moon | Theresa Reihana | 978-0-947506-73-5 | [1] |
| 2020 | White Moko | Novel | 978-0-9951067-8-9 | [11] |
| 2022 | Pipi and Pou and the Raging Mountain | Isobel Te Aho-White | 9781990035227 | [1] |
| 2022 | Pipi and Pou and the River Monster | Isobel Te Aho-White | 9781990035234 | [11] |
| 2023 | Pipi and Pou and the Tentacles of the Deep | Isobel Te Aho-White | 9781990035289 | [1] |
| 2023 | Pipi and Pou and the 100 legs of terror | Isobel Te Aho-White | 9781990035296 | [11] |
| 2023 | The Book that Wouldn't Read | Nicoletta Benella | 978-1-99-004231-7 | [11] |
| 2024 | Pipi and Pou and the waves of destruction | Isobel Te Aho-White | 9781990035364 | [13] |
| 2024 | Pipi and Pou and the Firewoman | Isobel Te Aho-White | 9781990035371 | [1] |
| 2024 | The Ever-standing tree | Ani Huia Ligaliga | 978-1-99-004260-7 | [14] |
| 2025 | How Many Times? | Nicoletta Benella | 9781990042812 | [15] |
| 2025 | Pipi and Pou and the Shadow Below | Isobel Te Aho-White | 9781990035470 | [16] |
| 2025 | Pipi and Pou and the Haunted Forest | Isobel Te Aho-White | 9781990035487 | [16] |
Other Publications
| Year | Title | Illustrator | ISBN | Featured In | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | I Dream Morning | Bruce Potter | 9781869780159 | Out of the Deep and other stories from New Zealand and the Pacific, Reed Publishing Ltd. | [17] |
| 2019 | Ngāti Kurī Proud | Munro Te Whata | 9781776698356 | School Journal Level 2 November 2019, New Zealand Ministry of Education. | [18] |
| 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 Aucklan Writers Festival. | [19] |
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Title | Award | Category | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The Wooden Fish | Storylines Notable Book Awards | Picture Book | Won | [11] |
| 2002 | Taming the Taniwha | The White Ravens | Selected | [1] | |
| 2002 | Taming the Taniwha | The LIANZA Children and Young Adult Book Awards | Esther Glen Junior Fiction Award | Nominated | [20] |
| 2006 | Haere, Farewell, Jack, farewell | New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults | Picture Book Honour Award | Won | [11] |
| 2009 | Hinemoa te toa | The LIANZA Children and Young Adult Book Awards | Te Kura Pounamu | Nominated | [21] |
| 2009 | Hinemoa te toa | The LIANZA Children and Young Adult Book Awards | Te Tohu Taurapa mō te wahanga Pukapuka Pikitia | Won | [1] |
| 2009 | Hinemoa te toa | The LIANZA Children and Young Adult Book Awards | Te Tohu Pounamu mo te wahanga Kaiwhakamaori | Won | [1] |
| 2010 | Taming the Taniwha | New Zealand Picture Book Collection | Selected | [22] | |
| 2010 | Haere, Farewell, Jack, farewell | New Zealand Picture Book Collection | Selected | [23] | |
| 2017 | Māui – Sun Catcher | Storylines Notable Book Awards | Picture Book | Won | [11] |
| 2021 | Rona Moon | Storylines Notable Book Awards | Te Reo Māori | Won | [24] |
| 2023 | Pipi and Pou and the Raging Mountain | NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, Wright Family Foundation | Esther Glen Junior Fiction Award | Finalist | [25] |
| 2023 | Pipi and Pou and the Tentacles of the Deep | Storylines Notable Book Awards | Junior Fiction | Won | [26] |
| 2024 | The Book that Wouldn't Read | NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, Wright Family Foundation | Te Kura Pounamu Award for te reo Māori | Finalist | [27] |
| 2024 | Pipi and Pou and the Firewoman | Storylines Notable Book Awards | Junior Fiction | Won | [28] |
| 2025 | Pipi and Pou and the Shadow Below | Storylines Notable Book Awards | Junior Fiction | Won | [16] |
| 2025 | Pipi and Pou and the Haunted Forest | Storylines Notable Book Awards | Junior Fiction | Won | [16] |
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