Kim is the son of Tommy and Edna Hippolite. He is a descendant of Teone Hippolite and others whose Ngāti Kuia letter to government (the poorest people under the heavens) in the late 1800’s helped instigate the South Island Landless Natives Act. He also descends from Tutepourangi and three of Teone McGregor's children.

His Trustee responsibilities are under the Kuiatanga Pou and Taiao Pou.

In the last 20 years, Kim has worked as Māori cultural liaison for Work and Income and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. A founding member of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tuia te Matangi, Kim is a strong supporter of the Ngāti Kuia Te Reo me ōnā tikanga strategy. Kim holds a degree in Mātauranga Māori, a diploma in Art, a diploma in Public Sector Māori, and a diploma in Graphic Design and Animation.

Born and bred in Whakatū/Nelson, Kim is the father of three Ngāti Kuia children and is a Kaiako in Te Reo Māori.