Kim is the son of Tommy and Edna Hippolite. He is a descendant of Teone Hippolite whose Ngāti Kuia letter to the government (The poorest people under the heavens) helped instigate the SILNA act. He also descends from Tutepourangi and three of Teone McGregor's children.

His Trustee responsibilities are under Te Tangata Pou along with Te Huataki Whareaitu, and Te Taiao Pou with Waihaere Mason.

In the last 20 years, Kim has worked as Māori cultural liaison for Work and Income and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. His background in schools has given him a good knowledge of Te Reo and the cultural gaps existing in Te Tauihu. 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. He holds a degree in Mātauranga Māori, a dip in Art, a dip in Public Sector Māori, and a dip in Graphic Design and Animation.

Born and bred in Nelson, Kim is the father of three children and works in education.