Who Is Matewa Kiritapu? The Full Biography Of Taika Waititi’s Daughter & Young Māori Star

Matewa Kiritapu has become one of the most talked-about celebrity children in recent years, not because she actively seeks the spotlight, but because of the remarkable world she was born into. As the daughter of Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi and acclaimed film producer Chelsea Winstanley, Matewa represents the next generation of Māori talent growing up with global visibility. Her appearance in the Marvel blockbuster Thor: Love and Thunder immediately drew worldwide attention, prompting fans to wonder about her upbringing, heritage, and early interests. Her Māori roots, combined with a Hollywood environment, make her story uniquely positioned at the crossroads of culture, creativity, and fame. With more people searching her name after her Marvel debut, media discussions around celebrity children in acting, and renewed interest in Taika’s family life, Matewa has become a symbol of rising indigenous representation. This article explores her journey from birth to early stardom, including insights into her family, cultural heritage, acting beginnings, personal life, and what her future may hold.

Profile Bio: Matewa Kiritapu

Early Life and Childhood

Born on August 11, 2015, in Wellington, New Zealand, Matewa Kiritapu entered the world surrounded by the warmth of Māori traditions and a family deeply rooted in filmmaking. Her name, rich with Māori meaning and cultural beauty, reflects her parents’ commitment to preserving indigenous identity. Growing up, Matewa was never far from creativity; her household buzzed with scripts, cameras, storytelling sessions, and cultural pride. Whether she watched her father direct a film or saw her mother curate indigenous narratives, she absorbed inspiration daily. Matewa’s early exposure to movie sets, costumes, and behind-the-scenes moments helped shape her curiosity for acting and imagination-driven play. At home, she shared a close bond with her older sister, Te Hinekāhu, with whom she explored arts, crafts, and storytelling. Deeply connected to her Māori roots, Matewa’s upbringing balanced Hollywood glamour with cultural grounding, teaching her the value of both modern creativity and ancestral identity.

Family Background and Heritage

Matewa’s heritage is a rich fusion of cultures that span across Māori, Jewish, Irish, Scottish, and English ancestries. On her father Taika Waititi’s side, she inherits deep Māori roots from the Te Whānau-ā-Apanui iwi, along with French-Canadian lineage. Her mother, Chelsea Winstanley, contributes powerful indigenous Māori ancestry as well, making the sisters strongly tied to native culture. The Waititi–Winstanley household emphasizes tikanga Māori—customs, values, and traditions—which play a central role in Matewa’s identity formation. Through family stories, language, and exposure to indigenous arts, she learns about her ancestors’ bravery and creativity. Their home is not just a place of comfort but a space where cultural conversations, film work, and creative exploration coexist. This blend of heritage not only expands Matewa’s worldview but also enriches her emotional and artistic sensibilities. Growing up in such a multicultural environment gives her a unique foundation that few children her age experience.

Meet Her Parents — Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley

Matewa’s parents are two of the most influential creative figures from New Zealand. Her father, Taika Waititi, is an Academy Award winner known for films like Jojo Rabbit, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Thor: Ragnarok, and What We Do in the Shadows. His blend of humor, heart, and cultural authenticity has positioned him as one of the most respected filmmakers globally. Her mother, Chelsea Winstanley, is an award-winning producer celebrated for her contributions to indigenous cinema, documentaries, and films celebrating Māori culture. Chelsea co-produced Jojo Rabbit and has led multiple influential projects focusing on indigenous storytelling. Their relationship journey—from meeting in the early 2000s to marrying in 2012 and divorcing quietly in 2018—shaped the girls’ upbringing but did not diminish their united parenting approach. Despite separating, Taika and Chelsea maintain a supportive co-parenting relationship, ensuring that Matewa grows up surrounded by encouragement, stability, cultural values, and artistic freedom.

Siblings — Te Hinekāhu and Maia

Sibling relationships often form the emotional backbone of childhood, and for Matewa, this bond is anchored by her close connection with her older sister Te Hinekāhu, born in 2012. The two have grown up side-by-side, sharing interests in acting, crafts, and creative imagination. Their shared experience working together in Thor: Love and Thunder strengthened their artistic chemistry and showcased their natural on-screen presence. In addition to Te, Matewa has another sibling—Maia, her half-brother from her mother Chelsea’s earlier relationship. Maia, born in 1996, was raised by Chelsea as a single mother before her marriage to Taika. He has also shown interest in acting and appeared in the film Boy. Together, the three siblings form a multicultural, artistically enriched trio raised with openness, creativity, and resilience. Their family environment encourages each child to express themselves freely and pursue passions without limitations.

Education and Early Interests

Although specific school details remain private to protect her identity, Matewa is believed to be attending primary school while balancing her creative explorations outside the classroom. Her early interests revolve around drawing, crafts, acting, imaginary play, and storytelling—traits clearly influenced by her exposure to movie sets. Growing up around scripts, cameras, directors, producers, and artists naturally nurtures her sense of curiosity. Her parents encourage her to explore both traditional Māori practices and modern filmmaking techniques, giving her a well-rounded childhood filled with learning and creative expression. Matewa’s natural talent and confidence on camera suggest that she may continue acting, but her parents allow her to choose her path at her own pace. Their emphasis on culture, language, kindness, and creativity ensures that Matewa grows up with strong values and emotional grounding.

Acting Debut — Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Matewa’s acting debut in Thor: Love and Thunder marked a major milestone not just for her personally but also for the Waititi–Winstanley family legacy. Directed by her father, Taika Waititi, the film gave both Matewa and her sister an opportunity to experience Hollywood production at an early age. She portrayed one of the Asgardian children, appearing in scenes alongside major stars like Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman. Although her role was small, critics and audiences immediately noticed the charm and natural presence she brought to the screen. Her father later revealed that he was proud of how she handled herself and how much fun she had on set. In interviews, Taika explained that many of the monster designs in the film were inspired by drawings made by Matewa and other children. Her debut not only showcased her talent but also hinted that she may have a bright future in acting.

Other Acting Work — Our Flag Means Death

Following her Marvel debut, Matewa also appeared in a small role in the hit TV series Our Flag Means Death, another project connected to her father. Though her screen time was brief, it contributed to her early acting portfolio and introduced her to a different style of production. Working in television alongside her father helped her better understand character expression, timing, and the collaborative effort behind filmmaking. These early opportunities provide Matewa with valuable experience during her formative years and give her the chance to develop her creative confidence. They also show how naturally she fits into artistic environments, making it likely that she may consider continuing acting or storytelling in the future.

Life After Her Acting Debut

After the release of Thor: Love and Thunder, public interest in Matewa skyrocketed. Fans wanted to know more about Taika’s daughters, their lifestyles, personalities, and future ambitions. Despite this fame, both Taika and Chelsea work hard to maintain reasonable boundaries around their daughters’ privacy. They avoid overexposing them on social media and ensure that they grow up in a healthy environment rather than becoming child celebrities. Matewa continues to focus on school, play, creativity, and spending time with family. She occasionally appears in family photos but does not participate in public interviews or social media activities. Her balanced life reflects her parents’ efforts to give both daughters a childhood that stays grounded despite their Hollywood surroundings.

Her Parents’ Divorce and Father’s Second Marriage

In 2018, Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley quietly ended their seven-year marriage. Their separation did not create public drama, and they chose to co-parent respectfully. For Matewa, this meant adjusting to life shared between two creative households but still receiving love and guidance from both parents. In 2022, Taika married global pop star Rita Ora, introducing a new member into the family dynamic. While Rita respects the girls’ privacy, she is known to share a warm relationship with them. Matewa continues to maintain strong emotional connections with both parents while adjusting comfortably to the blended family structure. This transition reflects modern co-parenting done with maturity and love.

Māori Culture, Identity, and Influence

Māori culture plays an invaluable role in shaping Matewa’s worldview, strengthening her identity, and influencing her creative imagination. Both Taika and Chelsea prioritize Māori traditions, language, and storytelling. Chelsea’s company, Matewa Media, founded with Tweedie Waititi, dubs Disney films like Moana, The Lion King, and Frozen into te reo Māori, allowing indigenous children to see themselves in global entertainment. These cultural efforts surround Matewa with a sense of pride and belonging. She is growing up bilingual and bicultural, learning not just about Hollywood but also about her ancestral roots. This connection shapes her confidence and ensures that wherever her career leads, her cultural identity remains strong.

Matewa’s Mother’s Inspiring Life Story

Chelsea Winstanley’s journey is marked by extraordinary resilience. She faced severe challenges in her youth, including trauma, early motherhood, and a life-threatening accident. However, she transformed her pain into strength, becoming one of New Zealand’s most respected film producers. Chelsea’s commitment to indigenous storytelling, women’s empowerment, and Māori representation has earned her awards and global recognition. Her strength and achievements deeply influence Matewa, teaching her the importance of courage, perseverance, and cultural pride. Chelsea’s life story is a powerful example for all three of her children, especially Matewa, who is growing up with the knowledge that adversity can be overcome through resilience and creativity.

Relationship With Her Father, Taika Waititi

Taika Waititi shares a warm, creative relationship with Matewa. He often brings his daughters to movie sets, letting them observe filming, costumes, makeup, and character development. This exposure gives Matewa valuable learning experiences. Taika encourages storytelling, imagination, and humor—traits he is known for internationally. Although he maintains privacy for his daughters, he occasionally speaks publicly about how proud he is of them and how much joy they bring him. Their bond is strengthened through film, travel, and shared artistic interests. His influence helps shape Matewa’s confidence and creative instincts.

Matewa’s Personality, Hobbies, and Daily Life

Matewa Kiritapu is known to be imaginative, friendly, and artistically inclined. She enjoys crafts, drawing, fantasy play, and spending time with her siblings. She grows up between New Zealand and the United States, experiencing a blend of cultural landscapes and creative environments. Her daily life includes schoolwork, family time, travel with her father or mother, and occasional visits to sets or industry events. Despite being the daughter of two Hollywood personalities, she lives a childhood filled with normal routines, fun hobbies, and safe boundaries. Her emerging personality suggests that she may develop into a creative storyteller, but her parents allow her to explore freely without pressure.

Public Image and Media Attention

Matewa’s public image has grown rapidly since her appearance in Thor: Love and Thunder. Fans appreciate her natural acting charm and love seeing her alongside her father during film-related activities. Media coverage of Matewa remains respectful, often focusing on her cultural background, acting potential, and family legacy. Her parents maintain tight control over her public exposure to avoid the downsides of early fame. Despite the limited visibility, she has gained admiration for representing indigenous children in global cinema. Matewa’s presence in the Marvel universe has sparked discussions about the future of Māori representation in international films.

Net Worth & Financial Dependence

Being only a child, Matewa does not have personal income or net worth. She relies entirely on her parents for financial support. Her father, Taika Waititi, has an estimated net worth of over $13 million, while her mother Chelsea Winstanley’s net worth ranges between $3 million and $8 million. Their combined success ensures that Matewa enjoys a comfortable and stable lifestyle, with access to excellent educational and creative opportunities. Although she has begun acting, child actors typically do not directly manage their earnings. Her financial security will likely continue as long as her parents manage her resources responsibly.

Future Potential — What Lies Ahead

Given her early exposure to acting, filmmaking, and storytelling, Matewa may continue to pursue roles in film or television. She may also explore animation, art, writing, or culturally rich storytelling inspired by her Māori heritage. With access to some of the world’s best creative minds and a family deeply rooted in cinema, her future is wide open. Opportunities in Māori-language dubs, indigenous films, or even Disney projects may arise through Matewa Media. However, her parents prioritize her emotional well-being over career pressure. It’s too early to say which path she will choose, but her early experiences suggest that the creative world will always remain a strong influence.

Conclusion

Matewa Kiritapu’s story is still being written, but her impact is already remarkable. As the daughter of two celebrated filmmakers, she represents both Hollywood creativity and Māori heritage with grace. Her early acting accomplishments show promise, while her culturally rich upbringing ensures she stays connected to her identity. Matewa stands at the intersection of legacy, talent, and cultural pride, embodying the spirit of a new-generation indigenous storyteller. Whether she continues acting or chooses another creative path, her presence already contributes to the visibility of Māori culture worldwide. Her journey reminds us that even at a young age, children can carry forward powerful legacies of art, identity, resilience, and representation.

FAQs About Matewa Kiritapu

1. Who is Matewa Kiritapu?

Matewa Kiritapu is the daughter of Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi and film producer Chelsea Winstanley. She is known for her role as an Asgardian kid in Thor: Love and Thunder and for being part of a prominent Māori filmmaking family.

2. How old is Matewa Kiritapu?

Matewa Kiritapu was born on August 11, 2015, making her 10 years old as of 2025.

3. What movies has Matewa Kiritapu acted in?

Matewa made her acting debut in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and later appeared briefly in the TV series Our Flag Means Death (2023).

4. Who are Matewa Kiritapu’s parents?

Her parents are Taika Waititi, an Oscar-winning director, and Chelsea Winstanley, an award-winning film producer known for Māori and indigenous storytelling.

5. What is Matewa Kiritapu famous for?

She is famous for being Taika Waititi’s daughter and for appearing as an Asgardian child in the Marvel movie Thor: Love and Thunder, gaining attention as one of the youngest Māori talents in Hollywood.

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