Taming the Taniwha

Tama needs to find out just how to tame the meanest, greenest taniwha he's ever met. A great book for kids to explore different methods of dealing with bullies and an effective tool to generate discussion. Illustrated by Henry Campbell. Published 2001 by Huia Publishers.

Hinemoa te toa

Hinemoa was tough. 'I am a warrior,' she'd say, 'Hinemoa te toa - just like my ancestors.' Is there anything Hinemoa is afraid of. Illustrated by John Bennett. Published 2008 by Scholastic New Zealand.

Haere, Farewell Jack, farewell

A death is mourned, a birth is celebrated, and a little girl sees that life comes full circle. A poetic and moving tale by Tim Tipene, with evocative illustrations by Huhanna Smith. Published 2005 by Huia Publishers.

Maui - Sun Catcher

Imaginative, powerful and fun, Maui - Sun Catcher is award-winning author Tim Tipene's modern take on the classic story of Maui catching the sun, with vivid illustrations by well-known illustrator Zak Waipara. This handsome hardback is in English and Maori.

Kura Toa Warrior School

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 Tipene's warrior philosophy. First published 2004 by Reed Publishing. Re-published 2009 by Oratia Books.

Bullies and Warriors

Going to school is a misery for Sean. Whatever he does to avoid the school bully, Mark Thomas and his mates always catch up with him. Then the students join Warrior Kids, a programme that teaches leadership and self-control. So begins a journey for Mark and Sean that has a predictable outcome for one boy and a surprise for the other. This novel for 8 years and older is a realistic insight into school life as it is for many children. It offers strategies to address bullying for children on both sides of the problem. First published as Warrior Kids by Reed Publishing, 2006. Re-pub 2012, Oratia Books.

The Wooden Fish

Hanseni wants to help his mother and father but he's too little. Then one day the fishermen of the village return with no fish and the villagers have to go hungry. As each day passes there is still no food for the village. How can Hanseni help his village and make his father happy again? The Wooden Fish is a beautifully told story about a special gift from a son to his father. Illustrated by Jennifer Cooper. First published 1996 by Learning Media. Re-published 1999 by Reed Publishing.

Patu

In this powerful novel for teenagers, 16-year-old Jahnine is having to fend for herself amidst a series of family misfortunes, with her mother in hospital battling cancer and her brother gone without a trace. Family legend has it that a Patu taken during the Land Wars by her great-great-grandfather has left a curse on them. Determined to return the Patu and lift the curse, Jahnine turns to a strange Maori boy, Andy, and follows him away from Auckland to try and put things right. Nothing turns out the way she imagines in this powerful, realistic novel. Published 2012 by Oratia Books.

Rewa finds his Wings

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. Rewa flits as a Piwaiwaka, swoops as a Kereru and dances through the air as a Tui. Then even the Tohunga cannot bring him back to earth as Rewa flies higher and higher. Illustrated by Jo Thapa. Published 2008 by Raupo Publishing.

Warrior Kids - Warrior Training for Children

In 1994 Tim started the Warrior Kids programme and went on to provide it to communities and schools for over 20 years, changing the lives of thousands of children and their families. This book features the complete ten sessions of the Warrior Kids' in-school programme in an easy to use format. 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. Published 2009 by Oratia Books.

Mrs Battleship

'Tipene's stories of how he found jewels of wisdom and love in a world that had no place for him are heart breaking. Adults will need tissues. This is a book that every teacher should read too. While we all hope we never have to teach a child with an upbringing like the one Tipene had, we also all hope we will be remembered as a Mrs Battleship too.

There are plenty of funny moments too. It's easy to forget this is primarily a children's book. Younger readers will laugh out loud and nod in agreement. Tipene's cheeky side comes through.'  - Rebekah Fraser, NZ Booklovers

One Tree House, 2019

Rona Moon

'My picture book of the year,' - Catherine Woulfe, The Spinoff. 

'Everything looks so small from up here,’ said Rona.
‘I know,’ Whaea beamed. ‘Even the reasons we felt angry seem so little.’
The beloved myth of Rona and the Moon comes to 21st-century Aotearoa in English and Māori in Tim Tipene’s sensitive telling, strikingly illustrated by Tai Tokerau artist Theresa Reihana.
Rona Moon gets angry with everyone — her brother, her Nana and Papa — and then one night she calls the moon stupid! Taken to meet her ancestor Whaea Rona on the moon, she learns a lesson in how to control her temper.

Oratia Books, 2020

White Moko, (White Grandchild)

'The most powerful book I have read for some time.' - Bob's Book Blog.

'Now he, (Tim), has written a memoir, White Moko, subtitled Stories from my Life, which gives some of the personal background to common themes running through his work: dealing with violence and abuse, and fighting to achieve goals, such as gaining self-respect and a sense of purpose in life. All of this is a remarkable achievement. It becomes amazing when measured against his early life, described in White Moko. The very fact that Tim Tipene is alive today is amazing. Every event in his young life seemed to destine him for drugs, despair and suicide.'  - Trevor Agnew, Magpies Magazine NZ.

One Tree House, 2020

Pipi and Pou and the Raging Mountain

'They're going to be real classics, and it's just so exciting for NZ children to have these characters.' - Joanna Ludbrook, Nine To Noon, RNZ

'They're just what kiwi kids have been looking for!' - Adele Broadbent, whatbooknext.com

Join Pipi and Pou in their new adventure series as they transform into a mighty eagle and a fierce taniwha in order to overcome dangers and save lives.

Pipi and Pou are looking forward to a weekend of screen time but Nana has other ideas. The earth is shaking down south and Nana wants to find out why. Can Pipi and Pou stop the raging mountain carving a destructive path through the forest? And what if success means sharing their secret powers with strangers?

Illustrated by Isobel Te Aho-White. OneTree House 2022.

Pipi and Pou and the River Monster

Pipi and Pou want to spend the day reading but Nana says they have to go up north - someone needs their help. Yet when they get there, instead of being greeted as heroes something attacks them! With danger coming from every direction, how can they work together so they can get out alive?

Illustrated by Isobel Te Aho-White. OneTree House 2022

Pipi and Pou and the Tentacles of the Deep

Opening her throat, Nana gave an almighty karanga, calling to the moana. She told the sea who she was, and where she had come from. The tohunga gestured at Pipi and Pou, and stated that the giant eagle and the taniwha were her mokopuna, and that as a whānau they had come in peace.

'We are kaitiaki!' sang Nana. 'Guardians and protectors of the natural world!'

Join Pipi, Pou and Nana as they fight the strange creature hidden in the surf.

Illustrated by Isobel Te Aho-White. OneTree House 2023.

Pipi and Pou and the 100 Legs of Terror

'Āe, tika, it's been in the news,' Minister Reihana continued. 'All of our kauri have been under threat of disease, yet there is something else going on with Tikokekoke. I sent scientists into the ngahere to conduct tests on him, only to have them come running out full of fear. In response, police entered the forest to investigate and after a day even they ran scared. They claimed that there was some sort of monster stalking them.'

Join Pipi, Pou and Nana as they solve the mystery haunting the forest at the request of the Prime Minister.

Illustrated by Isobel Te Aho-White. OneTree House 2023.

The Book That Wouldn't Read

The boy at the centre of Tim Tipene's striking new story doesn't like reading, until one day in the school library he picks up The Book that Wouldn't Read. Suddenly the book takes on a life of its own - with sentences moving up and down, words changing colour and disappearing, and strange fonts and characters that get the reader jumping around, even burping. His appeals to the teacher and friends get hushed because 'it's reading time,' and before he knows it, he's finished the book. 'What should I read next?' An inspirational story in English (hardback) and Maori (paperback) editions that takes the viewpoint of children who have reading struggles, with design guided by educators for appeal to reluctant or even dyslexic readers.

Illustrated by Nicoletta Benella. Oratia Books 2023.

Pipi and Pou and the Waves of Destruction

Nana reached out and grabbed Pipi and Pou.

'Don't move,' she muttered.

The large pincer belonged to a giant pāpaka, which rose up from the water, revealing the top half of its brown and gray body which was as big as Nana's car. As it approached the whānau the paddle crab snapped its two enormous, sharp, serrated claws.

Join Pipi, Pou and Nana as they solve the mystery of the flooding on the east coast. They say it's a tsunami but Nana knows better, and she is determined to fix it, even if she gets her socks wet in the process.

Illustrated by Isobel Te Aho-White. OneTree House 2024.

Pipi and Pou and the Firewoman

'Can't be playing with matches. You could set the whole world ablaze.'

'That's what she said,' Rāwiri mumbled with a mouth full of food.

A crease formed in Nana's brow.

'Who said?' she inquired.

'The woman in the forest,' blurted Rāwiri. 'She threw a fireball at me.'

Pou frowned. 'A fireball?' Like the ones from that RPG game you play on your device?'

Join Pipi, Pou and Nana as they seek out the strange woman who has frightened the mischievious Rāwiri.

Illustrated by Isobel Te Aho-White. OneTree House 2024