Tipene has whakapapa affiliations to Ngāti Kauwhata, Rangitāne, Ngāpuhi and Ngāi Te Rangi. His research management work, in NZ and Australia, spans 14 years across a range of areas including legal, intellectual property, policy, funding proposals and project management. His appointments include board membership on Australia & New سԹCouncil for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching where he provides a Māori perspective on animals. Tipene is also undertaking a PhD focused on the protection of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge, culture and identity) and preserving the relationships between kaitiaki (custodians) and their mātauranga Māori.