Tim Tipene inducted into Hall of Fame

Tim Tipene has been inducted into the New Zealand Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Tim is the founder of the renowned Warrior Kids programme and Master Arts classes, and is an award-winning author.

Tim, 41, became a student of martial arts at the age of 12. In 1994 he set up his own school, now called Master Arts, and began a holistic life-skills programme based on the arts for children called Warrior Kids. Tim has gone on to provide Warrior Kids to communities and schools for 18 years, changing the lives of thousands of children and their families.

Tim feels honoured to be acknowledged by the martial arts community for what he regards as his art of peace. Master Arts is a form of non-violent self protection and intervention, focusing on de-escalation and the containment of aggressive behaviour. ‘Master Arts is winning against an opponent without drawing the sword. In other words winning without the use of violence and winning without causing defeat,’ says Tim.

Warrior Kids is a Master Arts programme for children aged between 5 and 13 and follows the same message. 'If you teach a child to hit then they will hit. If you hit you get into trouble at school, you get into trouble with the law, people get hurt and you get negative consequences. That is a fact,’ comments Tim.

Warrior Kids gives children alternatives to violence, and builds up their awareness and confidence. 'The children are certainly taught self protection, but they are not taught strikes or throws, or to use pain or power over tactics.'

Tim is not sure if what he does could easily be classed as martial arts any more. 'I called it Master Arts because it is really about mastering the self,’ he comments. ‘Master Arts is the ultimate in anger management because through the training you remould the anger and the responses to anger physically and mentally. Students are taught safe and constructive ways to address problems. Master Arts is about safe homes and safe communities.'

The New Zealand Martial Arts Hall of Fame, (NZMAHOF), was established in 1995 with the aim of providing leadership in martial arts at the very highest level. The NZMAHOF Awards are held every two years to honor those Martial Artists who have contributed, served and cultivated martial arts in New Zealand in an outstanding manner. Tim will attend a ceremony in November where he will receive his award.

Tim is also the award-winning author of a number of books for children and young adults, including a manual about his Warrior Kids programme.

For more information visit www.timtipene.com or phone 021 525 450 or 09 833 9408.