 |
|
| image courtesy of Tracey Leyston |
Season’s greetings,
The end of year has been full on. There have been school programmes to complete, last gradings to conduct, end of year festivities to organise and a computer to fix. And now that my computer is working again I can get down to writing this month’s journal insert.
First of all a big thank you to Tracey Leyston for the Warrior Kids collages. They're great!
Kura Toa will close for Christmas on the 20th of December with a shared kai for the members of the community classes. Classes will restart on the 12th of January.
The class timetable for the start of 2009 is as follows…
Children’s classes (Warrior Kids) 5-13 years
Monday 4.00 - 5.30 pm
Tuesday 5.00 - 6.30 pm
Wednesday 4.00 - 5.30 pm
Thursday 5.00 - 6.30 pm
Adult classes (Toatoi) 14+ years
Tuesday 7.00 - 8.30 pm
Thursday 7.00 - 8.30 pm
There are of two types of membership for students:
Membership A - one class per week.
Membership B - two classes per week.
The website will be getting updated over the next couple of months. My certificates are being loaded onto my bio page to verify my credentials. Some certificates needed to be replaced as the original copies had been lost. Two that I haven’t been able to replace are my ones from Go Shintai Karate & Judo from Peter Lee.
Peter Lee was truly an inspiration to me. It was that inspiration that got me through so much over the years and helped me to achieve. I was twelve years old when I walked into the Dairy Flat Hall and became a student of Peter’s. I remember it as though it were only yesterday. I was living in a war zone then; family violence and abuse. I found strength and honour in Go Shintai Kai Karate & Judo and a true role model in Peter. In many ways I’ve tried to continue on that tradition for my own students.
Over the years I had to go through all sorts of therapies and groups to break the cycle and move on from my past, but my training in the martial arts stand out as the main influence and guiding light that helped me through.
For years I regretted leaving Go Shintai Kai and Peter Lee, yet it was what I had to do at the time, in order to further address the hurt and anger from my past, and to make sense of it. When I did leave however, I took with me a 2nd Dan Black Belt and the title of Chief Instructor of Go Shintai Kai Karate & Judo. It was the most I had ever achieved at the time and it propelled me on to further successes. Hence it would be a tremendous honour to have these certificates again.
Peter Lee himself achieved great things in the martial arts. Sadly I don’t have all the details. I wish I did, as Peter is someone who deserves to be acknowledged for his commitment and contribution to martial arts in New Zealand.
Another of my instructors that I must acknowledge is Michael Gent of Bujinkan Ninjutsu, but that’s for another time.
One thing is for certain though, the martial arts have the power to heal and address the past, and the martial arts have the ability to establish and foster peace in one’s self, in the home and in the community. True martial arts address anger, frustration, hurt and regret. So to all future students I extend the following welcome…
Welcome
Welcome to you
Welcome to your anger and frustration
Welcome to your suffering and anguish
Welcome to your fears, to your inadequacies
To your shame and regrets
To your failings
To your triumphs and successes
Welcome to those aspects of yourself that you loath
Welcome to those aspects of yourself that you value and honour
Welcome to your joy and fulfillment
Leave nothing at the door
Enter as you are
There is strength within, there is peace
Come be free
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday.
naku noa
Tim
| image courtesy of Tracey Leyston |
|
|
|
|
|
Kia ora,
I am very pleased with the new Kura Toa and Warrior Kids badges that have just arrived and are now available for purchase. The Warrior Kids Badge is $7.00
and the Kura Toa Warrior School Badge is $8.00.
There have been requests for further weekly classes for existing students and rather than filling up each class with new members it would be better to lift the quality and offer more to current members. Therefore I am pleased to announce that an additional form of membership is now available. As previously mentioned, Membership Fees are spread over a 12 month period and cover annual registration, class fees and grading fees up to Brown Belt.
The two types of membership will simply be known as Membership A and Membership B.
Membership A: One class per week
$10 per week Automatic Payment or $130 paid quarterly (every 3 months)
Membership B: Two classes per week
$15 per week Automatic Payment or $195 paid quarterly (every 3 months)
Of course there are concessions for more than one family member with both memberships.
Please remember though: by paying fees students are purchasing a membership regardless of whether they attend classes or not. Students who fail to keep their fees up to date forfeit their membership and are not able to attend classes. Membership fees are spread over a 12 month period and must be paid all year round.
It is also important to stress that Warrior Kids and Toatoi are ongoing and the more participants are exposed to these classes, the more they will get from them. The low cost is a reflection of this. As the issues faced in life are ongoing, the support and training offered from Kura Toa and Warrior Kids are ongoing too.
Kura Toa is a martial arts school with a difference. Actually it would be more accurate to call it a warrior training school. Kura Toa was started in New Zealand in 1994 to address the needs in the community. The name Kura Toa is Maori and means Warrior School and Toatoi means Warrior Art. The emphasis in Kura Toa and of Toatoi is on the person as a whole: addressing the needs of the mind, emotions, body and spirit. It is about the warrior within.
There are many differing opinions about the term Warrior. For some warrior speaks of war, violence, power over and abuse. For others warrior holds the image of mana, culture, honour, respect and nobility, a servant of his or her community, a hero.
Warriors are often portrayed on screen, in movies and computer games. Athletes, sports stars, martial artists, boxers, street fighters, military personnel are all promoted as warriors. The Oxford Dictionary describes warrior as fighting man; distinguished or veteran soldier; member of any of the fighting services. Yet such areas do not have full authority or ownership over what is a warrior.
Warrior is a mythical archetype that is embedded in our psyche. It belongs to every one of us because it is within every one of us. Away from the fields of sports and battle the warrior is that part of a person who, after putting up with an abusive relationship, finally decides that enough is enough and leaves. The warrior is that part of a person who, after following one vocation for years even though all that time they would rather have been doing another, finally decides that enough is enough and changes it.
To quote an old saying, for me a warrior is someone who …
has the courage to stand when it is easier to sit
has the courage to speak when it is easier to be silent
has the courage to go on when it is easier to go back
|
|
Of course in this day and age the opposite of this saying is also of value …
has the courage to sit when it is easier to stand
has the courage to be silent when it is easier to speak
has the courage to go back when it is easier to go on
|
|
And I would further add, a warrior is someone who …
has the courage to be apart and make their own choices when it is easier to follow
has the courage to be peaceful when it is easier to be violent
and has the courage to be a light when it is easier to hide
|
|
Warriors represented their community or tribe. They were protectors and providers, brave and courageous. They ventured into realms where others feared to tread. Such ideals are applicable in today’s world. But the modern warrior needs to know the lay of the land. While much of the old legends and stories of warriors were regarded as metaphors, their present day tellings are often depicted and infused with reality. What is portrayed as good and evil is in fact subjective beyond the screen. The real so called monsters or shadows that we must face are those within us, and the only person we really have to compete against and conquer is ourselves.
A warrior cannot protect and provide for his/her family from the confines of a prison cell or from a hospital bed. Nor can a warrior fully serve those they love with the restrictions imposed on them from a restraining order. And providing for your family certainly becomes an issue for a warrior with a criminal record.
Relying on the use of violence and intimidation or working outside the law will ultimately involve and harm those closest to us and damage any future prospects. Hence honing one’s ability to think and problem solve and to manage one’s emotions constructively is a prime requisite for any modern day warrior.
As in the past the warrior should be concerned with the betterment of his/her people, family and community. The modern day warrior must foster a holistic prospective; addressing issues of their past, being present in the day and considering the short and long term consequences of actions.
The path of the warrior is one of integrity, self control, discipline, focus and honour. And in applying these attributes to their life the warrior becomes free.
naku noa
Tim
|
|
|
|
|
Kia ora,
As of the 21st of September there have been some changes to membership fees for the community based classes. By paying membership, students and their families need to realise that they are reserving a spot in a weekly class, regardless of whether they attend or not. Class numbers are limited and students who fail to keep their membership up to date are at risk of losing their spot to a paying member.
When it comes to book critics, my two and a half year old son would have to be my favourite. He found a copy of Hinemoa te toa on my desk and has claimed it for himself. It is now his favourite book. He clings to it, wants it read to him 4-5 times a day and takes it everywhere he goes. He doesn’t comprehend that his daddy is the author at this stage.
Within all my books there is an aim and a message. It is common in this day and age for books with social messages to be looked down on in the literacy world, yet having come from a turbulent up-bringing I was always hungry for maps: road maps of social conduct and acceptable behaviour, maps to understand the swirl of emotions and thoughts that often overwhelmed me and maps that would help me to make sense of the world I lived in.
Such maps were few and far between when I was a child, and those that did exist were corrupted with contradictions and condemnations from religious ideals. This led to me making many avoidable mistakes as I grew, mistakes that left me hurt and isolated.
Maps are what I aim to give in Warrior Kids and Toatoi, and what I aim to give in my stories. Maps that are an exploration into the mind, body and spirit, and where ‘having a good life’ is the overall, daily destination.
With Taming the Taniwha my aim was to explore bullying and how to address it in ourselves and in others.
In Haere I wanted to look at the natural cycle of life and death and the acceptance of such.
In Rewa find his Wings it was the idea of listening and being true to ourselves.
The Wooden Fish was about the environment and conservation, and remembering that we are indeed a part of the natural world.
With Hinemoa te toa I wanted to highlight the importance and value of fear.
Much like anger, fear has often been portrayed negatively. From an early age we are encouraged that fear is something to avoid and one can be belittled for experiencing it; hence the terms ‘chicken’ and ‘scaredy cat’. Nowhere is the drive to avoid and suppress fear more apparent than in the majority of Martial Arts schools. Yet fear is a basic survival instinct. Fear highlights danger.
Fear is different from worrying. Worrying is more about the thoughts in our head. In other words we manufacture things to be afraid about. We go over and over in our minds, thinking and dreading possible outcomes or events for particular situations. While worrying can certainly highlight areas of our lives that may need attention, the act of worrying itself is an unhealthy practise. And we are in danger of attracting and even determining that the dreaded possibilities become reality. For example if you worry that people won’t like you then you will undoubtedly make it so.
In separating fear from worry life becomes a whole lot simpler.
We feel fear when we are faced with danger or a threat, and so we should, because fear can save us from harm and even death. When we are afraid our senses sharpen and adrenalin pumps through our body; we become focussed and alert. At these times our body and mind are ready for action and we can act instinctively, following our intuition.
We can also feel fear when we encounter change, loss, uncertainty or are challenged such as public speaking. Facing ourselves and the consequences of things that we may have done can be scary too. And there is fear that is fun, exciting and exhilarating, like riding rapids in a kayak or going for a ride on a roller coaster.
In Hinemoa te toa, Hinemoa learns to take heed of her fear; she realises that it serves her and that it is certainly not something to suppress and try to ignore. This same lesson is taught in Warrior Kids and the other Toatoi classes. In understanding and accepting their fear, the students can make more informed choices. They come to know that fear is natural. It is not a design fault; it’s there for a reason. Fear is their ally.
In trusting ourselves in this way and accepting that fear is not a part of our being that is working against us, we are in a position to utilise the strength and power that fear offers and respond accordingly, rather than being crippled and overwhelmed by it to the point that we cower, freeze or behave recklessly.
In learning to live in harmony with our emotions, they no longer hinder and hold us back, but rather assist us in venturing forward.
One thing to note is that children who are smacked are taught to be hit. They are taught to take impact. I have come across many children over the years who are physically disciplined, and aside from whether or not it is morally right, what I have noticed from these children and from adults who were hit as kids, is that physical discipline conditions people to being hit. Rather than evade a strike or hazard, even when it is obvious, they are more likely to stand there and take it. Standing there and taking it is what they are taught to do when their punishment is being handed out. But what if this child was crossing a road and a car was suddenly upon them? After being conditioned to take and accept pain, would they move out of the way? It is very unlikely.
In Warrior Kids there is no threat of being hit yet these children cower and prepare for the worst. From a self defence and keeping safe prospective this is the complete opposite to what we want children to do when faced with a threat of any kind and when fear is telling them to move.
naku noa
Tim
|
|
|
|
|
| Papa Tim with Toatoi Blue Belt Johnathon 'Alex' Otia and Black Belt Euan McKee |
Kia ora,
Wednesday Warrior Kids is here! This class is at the earlier time of 4pm - 5.30pm at the Mihini Road centre. The Tuesday and Thursday Warrior Kids classes are now both full, and the Friday class is growing. More classes are being planned for the future.
The Tuesday night SwanHawk class and the Thursday night Toatoi class have now become Teen Toatoi. Teen Toatoi is for teenagers, boys and girls, 13-18 years. It works on self defence, self awareness, confidence, focus, co-ordination, flexibility, self control and fitness. Class times are Tuesday & Thursday 7pm - 8.30pm.
Recently in Warrior Kids and Teen Toatoi we have been working with anger. Like all emotions, anger is natural and healthy, and is one aspect of the human experience. Anger has often been portrayed as negative and something to be avoided at all costs. In this case we have all failed because anger is something that we feel and react to constantly and will continue to do so. There is no avoiding it.
Anyway, it is what we do and the choices that we make when we are angry that can be a problem, not anger itself.
Naturally we are aggressive. Essentially all life is. Such is the will to survive. In order to survive, life must destroy. Regardless of whether we are vegetarian or eat meat, live in a house made of wood or brick or wear cotton or some other material, something is being destroyed in order for us to exist. It would be no different if we were a plant, a worm, a cow or some other form of life.
But while a certain amount of aggression is required to live, aggression need not rule our lives. In accepting and understanding our anger, we can then be in control of it. And with this ownership of our emotions we can then be detached from the actions and emotions of others. We know what is ours to be responsible for and what is not.
A focus of the Martial Arts is self defence; the ability to protect oneself and keep safe. Hence the pursuit of mastering one’s emotions is a core component of Warrior Kids and Toatoi. While self defence aspects are taught in Warrior Kids and Toatoi, it would be wrong and irresponsible of me to teach my students to resort to hurting others as a means of protecting themselves. If they hit back they are likely to be the ones who end up in trouble. Getting in trouble is not in our best interest, it is not protecting our selves.
I also wouldn’t want to encourage my students to resort to physical means to control situations and other people. Our prisons are full of people who have done just that. Warrior Kids and participants of Toatoi are taught to be clever. They are taught to use their brains and their vocal skills, and most importantly they are infused with confidence so that they stand tall and walk with their heads held high. Confident children are far less likely to get picked on.
My son has been getting frustrated with his little sister lately. She wants to join in his play and therefore disrupts his games. A little bit he can deal with, but sometimes he wants to play on his own. He yells and screams and has even resorted to pushing and hitting her.
I say to him, ‘I don’t smack you so don’t you smack your sister’. He’s getting the message. After all, if I want my children to be in control of their emotions, their frustration, their anger, then it’s up to me as a parent to show them how it’s done.
naku noa
Tim
|
|
|
|
|
Kia ora,
A new term has begun and three new Warrior Kids School Programmes have kicked off. Pupils of Peninsula Primary, Sunnynook Primary and Swanson School are again getting the opportunity to have some fun and bring out their inner warriors with me. Each group is a great bunch of kids. I hope that they all put the effort in, make positive choices for themselves, and pass the programme.
As previously mentioned, in order to pass Warrior Kids, children must not only demonstrate knowledge and skill of the Warrior Kids Syllabus but also appropriate behaviour in the programme, in the classroom, around the school and at home. Hence feedback is sought from these areas.
With the School Programme, children who pass receive a Red Belt Certificate, while those who excel throughout the course of the programme receive an Orange Belt Certificate. Those who do not pass the Warrior Kids School Programme receive a White Belt Certificate. Failing is not necessarily a bad thing. Many children’s behaviour has improved greatly after receiving a ‘No!’ in Warrior Kids.
On receiving their grades the children from the School Programmes can then wear that color belt when attending the community based Warrior Kids classes.
The benefits of long term exposure to Warrior Kids is nowhere more evident than in the community based Warrior Kids classes; where feedback from home and school are constant. There have been more successful gradings in these classes recently.
The community based Warrior Kids classes run through the school holidays and during the last break my friend Catherine was able to bring my little boy down to a class for the first time, so that he was able to see what his Daddy actually did when he says that he’s going to work. Taiyang enjoyed seeing the other children. He certainly thought that he was the ‘bee’s knees’ and it won’t be long before he’ll be joining in.
A new community based Warrior Kids class has started on Friday 4.00 - 5.30pm at Henderson South Primary School. This class is being run through the McLaren Park & Henderson South Community Initiative Inc. I am the instructor and the contact for the Friday class is Aroha. Anyone interested in this class can phone Aroha on (09) 838 4820.
For the Tuesday and Thursday Warrior Kids classes, or the up and coming Wednesday Warrior Kids class please contact Kura Toa.
The Tuesday night SwanHawk class and the Thursday night Toatoi class are both benefiting from some new students. There are still spaces available and further promotion for these classes is on the way. As these classes grow there will be more to report from them.
There are still Make the Choice, Be Safe! posters and brochures available. If you would like copies please email me your post details and I’ll send some out to you. It would be nice to have the posters and brochures up and accessible to as many of the public as possible. That way they’ll be fulfilling their purpose.
I’d rather send the Make the Choice, Be Safe! posters and brochures to places that would have use for them, as opposed to places that may just discard them.
Lastly, if you have any photos, footage or feedback of Warrior Kids, SwanHawk or the Toatoi open class, please send them through and we’ll put it up on the site.
naku noa
Papa Tim
|
|
|
|
|
Kia ora,
I was very pleased to get this feedback and photos from my recent visit to Kaitaia Collage.
|
Feedback from students and staff re: Tim Tipene’s visit to Kaitaia College 2 April 2008. The following extracts were taken from students’ written responses for a unit standard.
He made a point about his anger-management. He would rather take the classes on his own than let someone in power send him. This encouraged me to talk to my family about their issues in their households.
His dad was a man with an anger problem and that reminded me of one of my mates from school. He thinks he’s solid and hard, even though something hurts … he acts like it didn’t hurt a bit.
When he was talking about his books I felt inspired to do what I wanted to be. He told us, ‘Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do anything.’ I took that into mind and now I’m really focusing on my sporting career … One day I would like to have kids and the talk he gave made me think about my actions in the future. I would hate to hit my kids or my wife.
No one is helping those who go through family abuse and ill education. Also, I felt that he related to a lot of the people that were sitting in the room with me … I liked how he stamped down what would happen if you abused your children. I hope it scared the students into not doing the wrong thing … I felt touched by his speech because I don’t want to become abusive to my children.
Tim read this story aloud to us. I liked this story as it is about a time in life when life can get hard and we also start to dream of a different life.
Organising Teacher: Ellender Wilson
Tim’s novels are a real hit with the English Department (and some staff outside of it), so we were understandably excited to have the opportunity to meet him. The hour he spent with the year 11 students was well worth it as you can see from the comments above. The bell went for the lunch break before Tim was finished. The students sat and listened patiently – which proves they were engaged!
We also sent several teachers to listen to Tim at REAP that afternoon. He was inspirational and his Warrior Kids programme exciting.
|
|
Thank you to the staff and students of Kaitaia College for a wonderful visit, and thank you for your gracious feedback.
naku noa
Papa Tim
|
|
|
|
|
Kia ora,
I was delighted a couple of weeks back to receive two advance copies of my next children’s book, Hinemoa te toa, one in English and one in te reo Māori. Hinemoa te toa is being published by Scholastic New Zealand Ltd and is due out later in the year. The blurb on the back reads,
Hinemoa was tough.
'I am a warrior,’ she’d say,
'Hinemoa te toa –
just like my ancestors.'
Is there anything Hinemoa is afraid of?
The book has been beautifully illustrated by John Bennett and I have been privileged to have Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira undertake the Māori translation. As my attention and energy has predominantly gone into the care of my two babies and into Kura Toa and Warrior Kids this year, I’ve done little in the area of writing. I do have stories on the go and look forward to getting back to them at some stage, but it’s certainly nice to have another book coming out in 2008.
The Tuesday and Thursday night Warrior Kids classes are almost full. To ensure quality, classes are limited to 16 students. Once a class reaches 16 it is closed and no more students will be taken. If you are keen to have your child attend either the Tuesday or Thursday night class you’ll have to act quickly.
If a class you want is full you can go on the waiting list and when a spot becomes available you’ll be contacted. Siblings of current Warrior Kids have priority on the waiting list. Current members need to ensure that fees are kept up to date in order to secure their child/children’s place in the class. And please remember class numbers are limited and students are purchasing a place in a class regardless of whether they attend or not.
Another Warrior Kids class is being set up and spaces will be available shortly. The day and time of this class is still to be decided. The current venue, 22 Mihini Road, is being used and so any new classes will be conducted elsewhere. Watch this space for more info. The goal for the future is for Kura Toa to have its own premises where Warrior Kids will run most days of the week; and we are getting closer to fulfilling this. I’ve even started checking out possible locations. If anyone knows of a suitable and affordable building to home Kura Toa and Warrior Kids, please let me know.
Last month I mentioned that participants will be up for a grade every ten weeks of training for the first four grades, then every twelve weeks of training for the next four grades, up to Brown Belt. This would have meant that students would have sat on Brown Belt for well over a year. After further consideration I have changed this. Grades are now spaced out more evenly. Forms outlining the grades and the times required are available to students at all classes.
There has been a number of successful gradings in the community based Warrior Kids classes recently. Students have really been standing up and making some tremendous choices. They are supporting one another and improving in all areas of their lives. The feedback has been great. I am very proud of them. Let’s keep going. By working together and supporting one another we can bring out the best in our children and the best in ourselves.
naku noa
Papa Tim
|
|
|
|
|
Kia ora,
All is well. SwanHawk and the men’s Toatoi class are both well underway and the feedback so far has been great. There are still openings in these classes so give me a call if you’re interested.
- SwanHawk, for women 13 years +
Self defence, self awareness, confidence, focus, co-ordination, flexibility, self control, fitness.
Tuesdays 7pm-8.30pm
- Warrior School, for men 13 years +
Martial Arts, self awareness, confidence, focus, co-ordination, flexibility, self control, fitness.
Thursdays 7pm-8.30pm
I am pleased to announce that the fees for Warrior Kids and the other Kura Toa classes can now be paid by Automatic Payment. This means that participants and their families now have a choice of paying a $100 for ten weeks or an AP of $10 a week. This will make it easier, especially for those planning to continue with the classes beyond ten weeks.
There is also a change to the cost of the Warrior Kids School Programme. The current cost to Schools for a ten week Warrior Kids School Programme is $2,500. However the cost of having the Warrior Kids Programme run for a year within a school is now only $8,800, ($2,200 per term).
While Schools who have the Warrior Kids School Programme running often access funding to pay for it, the community based classes do not receive any form of funding whatsoever. The community based classes rely solely on the support of the families through the fees that are paid. This support is very much appreciated and allows Warrior Kids and the other Kura Toa classes to remain independent. This is a partnership that I have worked hard to maintain in the past and ultimately means that the operation is whanau driven. And it’s wonderful to see the sense of ownership and inclusion that a lot of the participants and their families share around Kura Toa and its classes.
New certificates are on the way. The old certificates are now out of date and some of the information on them is misleading. The official belt grades for Warrior Kids and the other Kura Toa classes are as follows: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, Brown, Black Belt 1st Dan and beyond. On average, participants will be up for a grade every ten weeks of training for the first four grades, then every twelve weeks of training for the next four grades, up to Brown Belt. In order to pass each grade participants must demonstrate the appropriate manner, behaviour, skill and knowledge; the higher the grade the higher the expectations.
Anyway, time to get back to the day. My boy is calling. There are train sets to build, Duplo to play with; what fun. Yesterday we took a drive to Whenuapai and had a picnic on the side of the road and watched the planes and gliders take off and land. My boy loves any thing mechanical at the moment, especially diggers.
Until next time ...
naku noa
Tim
|
|
|
|
|
Kia ora,
Back in Auckland now after a tremendous time in Northland on the The Sky is the Limit When You Read tour (organised by the The New Zealand Book Council and the National Library with funding from the Ministry of Education). It was great to visit the various schools and talk with the students, and it's been ages since I've eaten so much fresh fish, mussels and scallops. I also met up with a lot of whanaunga and was fortunate enough to be treated to a short, yet wonderful exploration of the Bay of Islands aboard a fifty foot yacht called ‘Grandma’ thanks to John Wood of Eco Sailing Cruises.
Photographs from my trip are here.
I was certainly tired when I got home. A big thank you to all the students who I was able to spend some time with on the tour. I thank you for sharing your time with me and for the respect you gave with your listening and your questions. It would have been nice to have longer with you. I also enjoyed speaking with teachers at the workshop in Kaitaia.
Myself, I didn't do so well at school. I was in special classes from the beginning and when I was expelled from High School as a second year fifth former, (year 12), I left not being able to tell the time on hand clocks, I didn't know my times tables and I couldn't even say the alphabet. Yet I loved writing. I fell in love with writing from an early age and have never stopped. Writing allowed me to escape the hardships of an abusive childhood. It's been my voice, a lifeline. Writing's given me a sense of connection spiritually and allowed me to be free.
Funny isn't it? I didn't do well at school, but now I go into them regularly, talking about writing and my books, and running Warrior Kids.
Speaking of Warrior Kids, the five school programmes for the first term have concluded. It was truly a privilege and an honour to meet and spend time with the children who participated in the programmes. The majority of them are doing very well and making positive choices. Sadly nine children were unsuccessful. It’s never nice failing students, yet I hope those who did not pass take on the feedback that they each received during the grading, practise more self control and choose to behave in ways that ultimately serves them.
The community based Warrior Kids classes will be running through the holidays and two new classes for older participants are set to start in May at the Ronin Martial Arts Centre, Unit 2, 22 Mihini Road, Henderson.
The classes are…
- SwanHawk, for women 13 years +
Self defence, self awareness, confidence, focus, co-ordination, flexibility, self control, fitness.
Tuesdays 7pm-8.30pm
Starts 6th of May
- Warrior School, for men 13 years +
Martial Arts, self awareness, confidence, focus, co-ordination, flexibility, self control, fitness.
Thursdays 7pm-8.30pm
Starts 8th of May
On the home front, my two little ones have been sick the last week with a cold. They both kept waking up through the night, too congested to sleep. Some medicine helped. It’s hard to find a good doctor for children though. They’re mostly so cold and impersonal. Whatever happened to a warm smile and a gentle touch? When it came to vaccinations for my boy, which I’m still in two minds about, I tried two doctors. The first one was so rough with the needle, she just jabbed it in. The second was certainly better with the needle but was a cold fish. He wouldn’t acknowledge my boy, wouldn’t talk to him or even look him in the eye. If anyone knows of a good doctor for children in West Auckland, please let me know.
Until next time ...
naku noa
Tim
|
|
|
|
|
My new book is here! Rewa Finds His Wings has arrived. I wrote this story 5-6 years ago so it’s great to see it finally published. The book is beautifully illustrated thanks to Jo Thapa.
The blurb on the back of the book reads, ‘Rewa works at a job he doesn’t enjoy; he often imagines being a bird and flying away. His worried mother sends him to a tohunga, a wise man. The tohunga grants Rewa his wish, but warns Rewa not to be a bird for too long or he might not be able to turn back into a person.
Rewa becomes a piwaiwaka but once he returns as a person he begs the tohunga to change him into a bird again. The tohunga grants Rewa his wish many times over, until the day Rewa stays a bird for a bit too long ...’ You should be able to find it at most book stores, or you can buy it online from fishpond.co.nz, so make sure you get yourself a copy.
Other news this month is that I’m gearing up for the The Sky is the Limit When You Read Northland tour (organised by the The New Zealand Book Council and the National Library with funding from the Ministry of Education); where I’ll be joined by author Kate de Goldi and illustrator Lindy Fisher in visiting Northland schools and talking about books, writing and I’ll certainly be talking about Warrior Kids. The tour runs the week of Monday the 31st of March to Friday the 4th of April. My schedule at this present time looks like this ...
Monday, 31st of March
I’ll be visiting Northland College and Te Kura o Omanaia.
Tuesday, 1st of April
Kerikeri Primary School.
A Panel discussion is booked for Tuesday evening at the Wharepuke Hall, Kerikeri, 7.30 – 9.00 p.m. This event is open to the public.
Wednesday, 2nd of April
Taipa Area School, Kaitaia College and Oturu School.
I’ll be conducting a Writer’s Workshop at Kaitaia College later in the afternoon for teachers.
Thursday, 3rd of April
Te Kao School, (with children from Ngataki and Te Hapua), and later Awanui School.
Friday, 4th of April
Bay of Islands College and there is mention of speaking to children from Karetu, Kawakawa and Waikare. In the afternoon I will be at Oromahoe School.
It’s going to be a busy week and I’m looking forward to it. However I will be away from my two little ones for a week. I haven’t gone that long without them before and of course they haven’t gone without me, so I am a little nervous. I know I’m going to miss them. Those wanting more information about the tour can contact Jeannie Skinner, Kerikeri School Services Manager National Library NZ, Ph 09 407 6718, Fax 09 407 6719, jeannie.skinner@natlib.govt.nz..
On the 14th of March I visited Liston College in Henderson and spoke to some of their students. I had a great time and very much appreciated the respect and politeness offered by the boys throughout my talk. Photos and a report written by one of the students about my presentation are on the way and will hopefully feature on the site, so watch this space.
The Warrior Kids classes are going well. Although the pressure is now on to have the school programmes completed before the end of term. With the Easter break and my writer’s tour of Northland, catch up classes are in order for the days that are missed. Gradings are coming up for the students of the school programmes and for some of the children in the community classes. By now the students should all know what is expected of them in order to pass their grades, so here’s hoping.
Bookings are coming in for School Programmes in term 2. There is still space so Schools that are interested can contact me. More details are here.
Well, my boy will be waking up from his afternoon nap soon. It’s time to get ready to play. We went to the Oratia Farmers market this morning, as we do every Saturday. We had a great time. The produce is so fresh and not all that expensive. Three bags of spinach for $5, you can’t beat that. Stay well.
Regards
Tim |
|
|
|
|
Wow, we’re already well into February. That came quick.
Warrior Kids is well underway in the community and schools. It’s nice to be back running the classes, reconnecting with students and their families from last year and meeting a whole new bunch of wonderful children. I look forward to getting to know each child better and to facing the various challenges that each Warrior Kids group presents.
The students are all prepped for their belt grades. In order to pass each grade in Warrior Kids, children must not only demonstrate knowledge and skill of the Warrior Kids syllabus but also appropriate manner and behaviour at home, at school and throughout the training. I certainly want every child in each class to pass their prospective grade in Warrior Kids; however everyone in a class passing rarely happens. Mind you, many children’s behaviour has improved greatly after receiving a ‘No!’ in Warrior Kids.
I am now taking bookings for the Warrior Kids School Programmes for Term 2 and Schools are invited to apply.
Spaces are still available in the community based Warrior Kids classes, but I recommend getting in quick as there has been a lot of interest. Dwane Morgan and Ronin Martial Arts have done a wonderful job of doing up the West Auckland Martial Arts Centre. It is now a much more welcoming and comfortable space for Warrior Kids.
Enquiries have been coming in from people interested in becoming licensed Warrior Kids instructors. The instructor training is ongoing and grades are given in the art of Toatoi. It would really suit people with training and experience in either teaching, counselling, gymnastics or the martial arts. Licensed instructors will be named on an online registry which will feature on this site. This will help to maintain a high quality of service.
While I have been getting busy with Warrior Kids I have still managed to find some time for writing. The project I’m currently working on is a collection of short stories for adolescents. I’m enjoying it and look forward to the next opportunity to work on it.
The Make the Choice, Be Safe posters and brochures are slowly getting out there. I’ve mostly been doing the distribution myself so it is going to take a while.
Apart from all this work I have been fortunate enough to get out and enjoy the evenings with my boy at the local beach and parks. Catching up and spending time with friends has been great and I’m certainly appreciating being with my two month old daughter. She is beautiful. I hope you’re enjoying your days as much as I am.
Regards
Tim |
|
|
|
|
Kia ora and a happy new year,
The holidays haven’t really been that quiet for me. I’ve been taking care of my little boy and helping out with my newborn girl and there’s been visiting family to look after. I did manage though to get some down time; playing with my boy, walks in the neighbouring Waitakere ranges, strolls along Te Henga or just being still and watching the birds and trees. I’ve been able to get some writing done too, so that’s great. The current manuscript is slowly nearing completion.
Back at work now and getting ready for the year ahead. A friend accompanied me to a working bee recently at the West Auckland Martial Arts Centre on Mihini Road.
Dwane Morgan from Ronin Martial Arts has taken over the lease of the Centre and Kura Toa is welcome to
remain there and run its classes. The previous tenants were Fudoshin Ryu Bujutsu, an incorporated society, who invited Kura Toa to use the centre at the end of 2006
in the hope that it would help with funding. Fudoshin have now moved on and Ronin Martial Arts have moved in.
It has always been my aim for Kura Toa to have its own premises and this year more attention
will be going into building up the community based classes. For now though, I appreciate the support and opportunity offered by Dwane and Ronin Martial Arts, and previously by Fudoshin Ryu Bujutsu.
Warrior Kids classes will resume again at the West Auckland Martial Arts Centre, Unit 2, 22 Mihini Road, Henderson, on Tuesday the 29th and Thursday the 31st of January.
The school based Warrior Kids programmes will be getting underway in February. This term the programme will feature in five schools: Peninsula Primary, Pomaria Primary, Swanson School, Holy Cross Primary and Sunnynook Primary.
The Make the Choice, Be Safe campaign is slowly getting underway with posters and brochures now going out to community centers and medical establishments. I have had run-ins with a couple of community agencies about the campaign. And that was in west Auckland where most people are aware of me and my work. These agencies were wanting to know who I was to run such a campaign. Who am I not to?
The community support and work sector is a competitive place; the majority are out for funding and notoriety. In saying that, plenty of agencies have been extremely supportive of the campaign and have taken it upon themselves to hand out the posters and brochures. A big thank to you all.
While knock-backs are nothing new to me, they certainly take their toll. I think I’ve put myself out there far too much over the years. I endured enough abuse as a child and still live with the effects, so I shouldn’t be going out of my way to attract more maltreatment. The thing is nobody tried to stop what was happening to me as a child, and few are trying to stop the abuse that is happening to others now. It’s a hard fact to turn away from. Anyway, I hope that the Make the Choice, Be Safe campaign makes people stop and think about the way they treat those around them.
I’m looking forward to getting back into my uniform, meeting new students and running classes. There’s a lot on in the first part of the year for me, what with the Warrior Kids and Toatoi classes, the Make the Choice, Be Safe campaign, the March release of my new book, Rewa Finds His Wings and an authors tour planned for Northland. I can’t wait.
Hope to see you in a class soon.
Regards
Tim |
|
|
|
| Last class of Warrior Kids for a group of children at Pomaria Primary School |
Kia ora, greetings,
Well the year is coming to an end. 2007 has been a busy year for me, having returned to running my warrior programmes after a year and a half break. It’s good to be back and I’m looking forward to an even busier 2008 with plenty of down time.
My plan for the summer is plenty of bush walks and swims, lots of time with family and friends, oh and I do plan to get some writing done. This should get me recharged for the new year.
I am booked to run Warrior Kids in five schools for the first term in 2008 and have received a number of calls for the community based Warrior Kids class and for the older classes. However, I’m now requiring a new venue for the community classes. I have some temporary possibilities in the form of school and community halls. What I really need though is my own premises so that I can create the appropriate environment and provide more classes. Just have to find an affordable lease or an enthusiastic benefactor I guess.
The Make the choice, Be Safe campaign is all set to go. The official launch of the campaign is not till February, but posters and brochures have already gone out to some schools and organizations, and information can now be accessed on the site. My hope with this campaign is that people choose to be safe and choose to be more considerate in their treatment of the ones they love and their treatment of others.
I certainly get nervous putting myself out there the way I do, yet the drive in me to bring attention to violence and abuse and address it never diminishes. Ignoring it is like ignoring the child in me and the abuse I endured.
Abusers and their supporters commonly make the claim that the atrocities they inflicted never happened, that any accusations of abuse are simply derived from an unstable mind; in other words it’s all in the victim’s head. Such denial and society’s constant willingness to turn a blind eye means the cycle of violence and abuse thrives. It’s horrible to think that a child out there in our community is being hurt, being abused right now.
This is all the more reason for individuals such as myself to make a stand. ‘Evil prevails when good men do nothing.’
Another aim of mine with the Make the choice, Be Safe campaign is to provide a different sort of role model, away from the sports fields and the entertainment industry.
 Speaking of role models, also ready now is the new Warrior Kids posters. Many have asked who the young man is in the previous poster; very funny. The photo wasn’t taken all that long ago. The latest poster does however feature a grayer and somewhat hairier me. It also features some classic images of Warrior Kids in action.
At this point I would like to thank all those who took part in warrior programmes this year, and a big thank you to their families. I would also like to thank the schools and organisations who have supported me in partnership with my work.
I wish everyone and their family a safe and happy holiday.
Merry Christmas.
Regards
Tim |
|
|
|
| Warrior Kids was created by Tim Tipene in 1994. |
| Warrior Kids is a high impact, full on, non-stop adventure involving games and challenges where children learn to be warriors in the truest sense. |
| The aim of Warrior Kids is to equip children with the tools and skills to face whatever comes their way, now and in the future. |
|
|
|
| For 16 years Warrior Kids has featured in schools and communities throughout New Zealand receiving numerous referrals from community and government agencies. The History, Gallery and Feedback pages tell our story. |
Kura Toa Warrior School
ISBN 978-1-877514-02-9 |
Exciting news that Kura Toa Warrior School has now been republished by Libro International right here in West Auckland.
In this novel for young adults, Haki must confront his fears and find a way to answer the challenge to serve his people, to serve his land, to fight a Taniwha and, ultimately, to become a warrior. An imiginative expression of Tim's warrior philosophy.
Selling for NZ$25 + postage and packaging copies can be ordered directly from the publisher at peter@oratiamedia.com or fax +64 (0)9 814 8997.
|
|
|
|
Now Available!
This new book by Tim Tipene features the complete ten sessions of the Warrior Kids' in-school programme in a format that instructors can apply to their own work with young people.
It is a rich resource for teachers, parents and those working with children who face emotional and physical challenges in their daily lives.
Warrior Kids is Tim Tipene's pioneering programme that over the past 18 years has empowered thousands of children.
Focusing on bringing out the warrior within, the Warrior Kids programme draws on Maori warrior concepts and Eastern martial arts in a non-aggressive way designed to instill confidence, respect and self-control, leading children to become masters of their lives.
Warrior Kids: Warrior Training for Children is published by Libro International. You can get your own copy of the manual now from Libro International's book distributor Publishers Distribution Limited and on-line from Fishpond.
|
|
|
For an in-depth look at what Warrior Kids is all about you can't do better than read Warrior Kids.
This novel by Warrior Kids founder Tim Tipene is suitable for all ages 8 years and older.
Selling for NZ$18 + postage and packaging copies can be ordered directly from the publisher by email peter@oratiamedia.com or fax +64 (0)9 814 8997. |
Warrior Kids
PO Box 95-008
Swanson
Auckland 0612
New Zealand
Telephone
09 810 8268
021 525 450
admin@warriorkids.org |
|
