Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Pikiao
Matiu is the Kaumātua and Cultural Advisor for Tātai Ora Charitable Trust. Starting from a young age, Matiu learned the value of ‘mahi tahi’ by getting his hands ‘dirty’ in maintaining the marae and mahi kai for whānau.
Matiu graduated from St Peter’s College in 1969 and went on to enrol in the New Zealand Army, serving 20 years and reaching rank of warrant officer class 1 (WO1). On returning from the Army, he managed his own businesses in the hospitality, tourism and courier and delivery industries.
Matiu played a key role in the Ngāti Rongomai movement to attain iwi status with Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa, the collective body for the administration of iwi Crown claims in the 1990s.
Matiu has always been drawn to all things te ao Māori and has spent his lifetime filling his kete with the whakapapa, tikanga and mātauranga handed down from his tūpuna.
Being an Ariki Tutohu [elect] of the Taia whānau, Matiu is a pivotal leader for his whānau and iwi.
We are privileged to have such a humble and knowledgeable elder supporting the Tātai Ora kaupapa.
