Matewa Kiritapu has drawn public attention as the youngest daughter of Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi and film producer Chelsea Winstanley, but she is already building an identity of her own. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, she gained international recognition after appearing in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) as one of the Asgardian children.
Raised between New Zealand and the United States, Matewa enjoys a childhood shaped by filmmaking, Māori culture, and strong family values. Despite growing up in the spotlight, her parents have prioritized her privacy and education while encouraging creativity and cultural pride. Her early screen appearance and unique background continue to spark interest among movie fans worldwide.
Matewa Kiritapu Quick Bio
| Quick Fact | Details |
| Full Name | Matewa Kiritapu Waititi |
| Commonly Known As | Taika Waititi’s daughter |
| Date of Birth | August 11, 2015 |
| Age (2026) | 10 years old |
| Birthplace | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Ethnicity | Māori and mixed heritage |
| Profession | Child actress |
| Famous For | Appearing in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) |
| First Movie | Thor: Love and Thunder |
| Role in Marvel Film | One of the Asgardian children and a baby doppelganger |
| Age During Filming | 7 years old |
| Father | Taika Waititi – Oscar-winning filmmaker, actor, and writer |
| Mother | Chelsea Winstanley – New Zealand film producer |
| Mother’s Company | Matewa Media |
| Siblings | Te Hinekāhu (older sister), Maia (half-brother) |
| Parents’ Divorce | 2018 |
| Cultural Background | Strong connection to Māori culture and language |
| Languages & Heritage | Raised with an appreciation for Māori traditions and Indigenous storytelling |
| Primary Residence | Splits time between New Zealand and the United States |
| Notable Family Connection | Grew up around major Hollywood and New Zealand film productions |
| Father’s Well-Known Projects | Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder, Our Flag Means Death |
| Public Recognition | Known for her early screen appearance and being part of a creative filmmaking family |
| Career Status (2026) | Emerging child actress with one confirmed film credit |
Who Is Matewa Kiritapu?
Matewa Kiritapu Waititi is a New Zealand child actress best known as the youngest daughter of filmmaker Taika Waititi and film producer Chelsea Winstanley. Born on August 11, 2015, in Wellington, New Zealand, she belongs to a family deeply connected to filmmaking, storytelling, and Māori culture.
While many children of celebrities stay away from cameras, Matewa entered the entertainment world at an early age. Her role in Thor: Love and Thunder introduced her to millions of viewers around the world. Even though her acting career has only begun, audiences quickly noticed her confidence and natural performance on screen.
Beyond acting, Matewa’s identity is shaped by her Māori and mixed heritage. Her parents have consistently supported Indigenous voices through film, language preservation, and cultural storytelling. This means that Matewa is growing up with a strong appreciation for both her family’s creative achievements and her cultural identity.
She has also been exposed to Hollywood through her father’s work on internationally successful projects, including Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit, and the television series Our Flag Means Death. Watching productions come together from behind the scenes has given her a unique childhood that combines ordinary family life with extraordinary creative experiences.
Although media attention often focuses on her famous father, Matewa continues to be recognized as an individual whose early acting work and cultural background make her someone to watch in the coming years.
Growing Up as Taika Waititi’s Daughter
Growing up as Taika Waititi’s daughter has given Matewa experiences that few children enjoy. Taika Waititi is an Academy Award-winning writer, director, actor, and producer known for blending humor with emotional storytelling. His work has earned worldwide recognition, making him one of New Zealand’s most successful filmmakers.
Despite his busy career in Hollywood, Taika has often shared moments with his daughters while traveling and working. During filming schedules, Matewa occasionally visited movie sets where she could observe filmmaking firsthand. These experiences allowed her to become familiar with cameras, actors, costumes, and the creative process from a very young age.
One memorable family adventure was the Dads on Tour (2022 trip), where Taika traveled with fellow actor Chris Hemsworth and their children across scenic parts of Australia. The journey highlighted how both fathers tried to combine work commitments with quality family time.
Growing up around creative professionals has likely helped Matewa develop confidence in front of cameras. Instead of seeing film sets as intimidating places, she has experienced them as environments where imagination becomes reality.
Even with worldwide fame surrounding her father, Taika and Chelsea have tried to give their children a balanced upbringing. They rarely share private details about family life, choosing instead to let their daughters enjoy childhood away from constant public attention.
This careful balance has allowed Matewa to experience both the excitement of Hollywood and the comfort of family life rooted in New Zealand traditions.
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Meet Her Mother, Chelsea Winstanley
While Taika Waititi often receives international attention, Chelsea Winstanley has built an impressive career of her own. She is a respected film producer from New Zealand who has dedicated much of her work to promoting Indigenous voices and authentic storytelling.
Chelsea has produced several acclaimed films and documentaries throughout her career. She also founded Matewa Media, a company focused on preserving and celebrating the Māori language through entertainment. One of the company’s most recognized achievements has been creating Māori-language versions of popular Disney films, helping younger generations experience beloved stories in their native language.
As a mother, Chelsea has emphasized the importance of cultural identity and heritage. She has encouraged her children to remain connected to their Māori roots while also embracing opportunities that come with growing up in a creative family.
Her influence extends beyond filmmaking. By supporting projects centered on Indigenous communities, she has shown how cinema can preserve language, traditions, and history for future generations.
For Matewa, having a mother who values education, creativity, and cultural preservation provides a meaningful foundation. Rather than focusing solely on Hollywood success, Chelsea has helped ensure that her children understand where they come from and why their heritage matters.
This balance between global opportunities and cultural pride continues to shape Matewa’s upbringing as she grows into her own identity.
Matewa Kiritapu’s Big Movie Debut
Matewa Kiritapu made her acting debut in 2022 with Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder, one of the biggest superhero films released that year. Directed by her father, Taika Waititi, the movie introduced audiences to a group of Asgardian children who become part of the story’s exciting adventure.
Matewa portrayed one of the Asgardian children, giving Marvel fans their first glimpse of her acting abilities. During filming, she was only age 7, making her performance even more remarkable considering the scale of the production.
The film became especially memorable because Taika invited several family members and the children of cast members to participate. This created a relaxed environment where many young performers felt comfortable on set.
Another fun behind-the-scenes detail involved the movie’s imaginative creatures. Some monster designs were based on kids’ drawings, allowing children’s creativity to influence the final look of several fantasy characters. This playful approach reflected Taika Waititi’s unique filmmaking style, which often encourages imagination and collaboration.
Matewa also appeared as a baby doppelganger, adding another small but interesting connection to the film’s family-centered production.
Although her role was limited, appearing in such a successful Marvel movie gave her valuable experience working with professional actors, visual effects teams, and large-scale productions. It also introduced her to millions of viewers around the world, many of whom became curious about Taika Waititi’s daughter after watching the film.
For a child actress making her first appearance, it was an impressive beginning that demonstrated confidence, curiosity, and natural screen presence while allowing her to enjoy the experience alongside family and friends.
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Matewa’s Sister and Siblings
Family plays an important role in Matewa Kiritapu Waititi’s life. She shares a close bond with her older sister, Te Hinekāhu, who was born in 2012. The sisters have grown up together in a creative household where storytelling, art, and Māori traditions are part of everyday life. Although their parents are internationally known, they have generally been raised away from constant media attention, allowing them to enjoy a more private childhood.
Matewa also has a half-brother named Maia. While the family keeps many personal details private, it is known that the siblings share a supportive relationship. Growing up in a blended family has allowed Matewa to experience different perspectives while maintaining strong family connections.
Following their parents’ separation, both Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley continued to focus on creating a stable environment for their children. Their approach to co-parents has helped ensure that the siblings continue spending meaningful time with both sides of the family.
Some of the qualities that define Matewa’s family life include:
- A strong relationship with her sister Te Hinekāhu.
- A supportive connection with her half-brother Maia.
- Regular time spent with both parents.
- Shared appreciation for Māori culture and traditions.
- Opportunities to travel while staying connected to family values.
Despite growing up in the public eye, the siblings continue to enjoy many of the same experiences as other children, including learning, playing, celebrating holidays, and spending time together. Their parents have consistently placed family before fame, helping the children develop healthy relationships and lasting memories.
Life After Her First Movie
Appearing in a Marvel production is a dream for many actors, but for Matewa Kiritapu Waititi, it marked the beginning rather than the destination of her journey. After making her debut in Thor: Love and Thunder, public curiosity about the young child actress increased significantly.
Unlike many young performers who immediately pursue numerous acting roles, Matewa has continued to focus primarily on enjoying her childhood. Her parents have avoided placing unnecessary pressure on her career, allowing acting to remain a positive experience rather than an obligation.
Being raised by parents with extensive film industry experience offers important advantages. Matewa has access to creative mentors who understand both the opportunities and challenges of working in entertainment. This guidance helps ensure that any future projects are chosen carefully and remain suitable for her age.
Beyond acting, she continues learning about filmmaking from different perspectives. Whether observing directors, actors, costume designers, or production teams, every visit to movie sets becomes an educational experience.
Many children who begin acting early struggle to balance work with everyday life. Matewa’s family appears committed to protecting that balance by prioritizing education, personal growth, and time with loved ones.
As a result, her first movie has become a valuable learning experience rather than the defining moment of her life. It introduced her to Hollywood while still allowing her to enjoy the freedom and excitement that should come with childhood.
Matewa Kiritapu’s Māori Roots and Culture
One of the most meaningful parts of Matewa Kiritapu Waititi’s identity is her connection to Māori roots and culture. As someone with Māori and mixed heritage, she belongs to the Indigenous people of Aotearoa, now known internationally as New Zealand. This cultural background influences not only her family life but also many of the creative projects her parents support.
Her mother, Chelsea Winstanley, has long advocated for preserving Indigenous stories and expanding opportunities for Māori filmmakers. Through Matewa Media, she has helped produce Māori-language versions of well-known Disney films, making global entertainment more accessible to Māori-speaking children and families.
Taika Waititi has also spoken proudly about his heritage throughout his career. His films often celebrate diversity, challenge stereotypes, and create space for underrepresented communities in mainstream entertainment.
For Matewa, this means growing up with a strong understanding of cultural identity alongside international experiences. She is learning that success in Hollywood does not require leaving her heritage behind. Instead, her family demonstrates that cultural traditions and global storytelling can exist together.
Important influences in her cultural upbringing include:
- Learning about Māori customs and traditions.
- Hearing and appreciating the Māori language.
- Supporting Indigenous voices through storytelling.
- Spending time with family in New Zealand.
- Respecting the history and values passed down through generations.
These experiences help shape Matewa into a young person who understands both where she comes from and how her heritage contributes to the wider world of storytelling.
How Her Parents’ Divorce Affected Her
Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley ended their marriage in 2018 after several years together. Although news of the separation attracted media attention because of Taika’s growing international fame, both parents handled the situation with privacy and respect.
For young children, changes in family structure can be challenging. However, Taika and Chelsea have consistently shown a commitment to successful co-parenting. Rather than allowing their separation to affect their daughters’ well-being, they have continued working together to provide a loving and supportive environment.
Both parents remain actively involved in Matewa’s life. Whether she is spending time in New Zealand or visiting the United States, she continues to maintain close relationships with both her mother and father.
Their approach reflects an important lesson: while marriages sometimes end, parenting continues. By putting their children first, Taika and Chelsea have helped create stability during an important stage of Matewa’s development.
Instead of focusing on public attention surrounding the divorce, the family has concentrated on maintaining routines, celebrating milestones, and supporting each child’s personal interests.
This balanced approach has likely helped Matewa continue growing with confidence while enjoying opportunities that come from both sides of her family. As she matures, having parents who communicate and cooperate provides a healthy foundation for her education, emotional well-being, and future ambitions.
Matewa’s Daily Life and Hobbies
Although many people recognize Matewa Kiritapu Waititi because of her famous parents and early acting role, much of her life still revolves around ordinary childhood experiences. At 10 years old in 2026, she is at an age where learning, creativity, friendships, and family remain the most important parts of everyday life.
Growing up in an artistic household naturally encourages imagination. Whether through storytelling, drawing, music, or creative play, Matewa has been surrounded by people who value self-expression. Her father’s filmmaking career and her mother’s work as a producer have exposed her to many different forms of creativity from an early age.
Travel also forms part of her lifestyle. Spending time between New Zealand and the United States gives her opportunities to experience different cultures while remaining connected to her Māori heritage.
Some activities that fit naturally with her upbringing include:
- Spending time with family and friends.
- Exploring creative arts and storytelling.
- Visiting movie sets with her parents.
- Traveling between countries.
- Learning about Māori traditions and history.
- Enjoying outdoor adventures that New Zealand is famous for.
Although fans are curious about her interests, her parents intentionally keep much of her personal life private. This allows Matewa to enjoy a healthy childhood without unnecessary public pressure.
As she grows older, her hobbies and interests may evolve, but her family continues to encourage a balance between creative opportunities, education, cultural learning, and simply being a child.
Traveling the World with Taika
Travel has become a natural part of Matewa Kiritapu Waititi’s life because of her father’s international filmmaking career. As an Oscar-winning filmmaker, Taika Waititi (father) regularly works on productions across New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and other filming locations. While his schedule is busy, he has often found ways to include family experiences alongside work.
One memorable example was the Dads on Tour (2022 trip), during which Taika traveled with actor Chris Hemsworth and their children. The trip highlighted how both families balanced professional commitments with quality time together, giving the children opportunities to explore beautiful destinations while their parents worked.
Matewa has also experienced places connected to New Zealand’s film history. Locations such as Hobbiton, famous for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, reflect the country’s global reputation as a filmmaking destination. Growing up in Wellington, New Zealand, she has been surrounded by a culture that values creativity and cinematic storytelling.
Time spent in Hollywood and the United States offers a different perspective. There, she has seen large-scale movie productions and met people working in various parts of the entertainment industry. These experiences help her understand filmmaking beyond acting alone, from production design to visual effects and costume creation.
Even with these exciting opportunities, her parents have continued to emphasize that travel should also be educational and enjoyable. Visiting new places, meeting different people, and learning about diverse cultures all contribute to Matewa’s personal growth while helping her remain connected to both her New Zealand roots and the wider world.
What’s Next for Matewa Kiritapu?
Because Matewa Kiritapu Waititi began her acting journey so early, many fans wonder what the future may hold. At only 10 years old in 2026, she still has plenty of time to discover her interests and decide whether acting will become a long-term career.
Her debut in Thor: Love and Thunder demonstrated that she is comfortable in front of the camera. Working on a major Marvel production provided valuable experience that many actors spend years trying to achieve. However, one film does not define an entire career, especially for a young performer who is still growing and learning.
Several possibilities could shape her future:
- Continuing as a child actress in family-friendly productions.
- Exploring voice acting, particularly projects connected to the Māori language.
- Learning filmmaking from both of her parents.
- Pursuing interests outside entertainment while continuing her education.
- Supporting projects that promote Indigenous voices and cultural storytelling.
Growing up with a director as a father and a producer as a mother gives Matewa unique insight into every stage of filmmaking. Instead of only understanding acting, she has opportunities to learn writing, directing, producing, and storytelling from experienced professionals.
While fans naturally hope to see her in more films, there have been no confirmed announcements regarding additional acting roles. For now, the focus remains on allowing her to enjoy childhood while keeping future opportunities open.
Why Everyone Loves Taika Waititi’s Daughter
Public interest in Matewa Kiritapu goes beyond celebrity curiosity. Many people admire how her family has balanced international success with humility, cultural pride, and privacy. Rather than placing her constantly in front of cameras, her parents have chosen to let her grow at her own pace.
Marvel fans first noticed her through Thor: Love and Thunder, where her natural screen presence made a positive impression despite her limited role. Knowing that she shared scenes with the Asgardian children and contributed to a film directed by her father made her appearance even more memorable.
People also appreciate the values reflected in her upbringing. Through both Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley, Matewa is connected to projects that celebrate creativity, diversity, and Indigenous storytelling. Her family’s work encourages greater representation for Māori communities while helping preserve language and culture for future generations.
Another reason for her popularity is the genuine family dynamic often seen in interviews and public appearances. Rather than presenting a glamorous celebrity lifestyle, Taika frequently speaks about fatherhood with humor and honesty. That relatable approach has made many fans feel connected to his family.
As Matewa continues growing, public interest will likely remain strong. Whether she chooses acting, filmmaking, or another path entirely, many people look forward to seeing how she develops as an individual beyond simply being known as Taika Waititi’s daughter.
Final Thoughts
Matewa Kiritapu Waititi has already experienced opportunities that many aspiring performers only dream about. From her birth in Wellington, New Zealand, to her appearance in Thor: Love and Thunder, she has grown up surrounded by creativity, filmmaking, and a deep respect for cultural heritage.
Her parents, Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley, have worked hard to provide a balanced upbringing that values education, family, and Māori identity alongside professional success. Their commitment to positive co-parenting following their 2018 divorce has also helped create a stable environment where Matewa and her siblings can continue to thrive.
Although she became known through Hollywood at a young age, her story is still in its earliest chapters. Whether she continues acting, explores filmmaking, or follows an entirely different passion, she has the benefit of learning from experienced parents while remaining grounded in her cultural heritage.
For now, Matewa is best seen not only as a promising young performer but also as a child enjoying a unique upbringing shaped by family, creativity, and meaningful traditions.
(FAQs)
How old is Matewa Kiritapu and when was she born?
Matewa Kiritapu Waititi was born on August 11, 2015, in Wellington, New Zealand. As of 2026, she is 10 years old.
Who is Matewa Kiritapu’s mom?
Her mother is Chelsea Winstanley, a New Zealand film producer known for supporting Indigenous storytelling. She is also the founder of Matewa Media, which produces Māori-language versions of popular Disney films.
Was Matewa Kiritapu really in a Thor movie?
Yes. Matewa appeared in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) as one of the Asgardian children. She was 7 years old during filming and also appeared as a baby doppelganger in the movie.
What movies has Matewa Kiritapu been in?
As of 2026, Matewa Kiritapu Waititi’s confirmed on-screen credit is Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). While she has visited many movie sets through her father’s work, no additional film roles have been officially confirmed.
Where does Matewa Kiritapu live and who is her dad?
Matewa lives between New Zealand and the United States. Her father is Taika Waititi, the acclaimed Oscar-winning filmmaker behind projects such as Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder, and the television series Our Flag Means Death.
Daniel Carter is an entertainment writer covering celebrity news, lifestyle trends, and public achievements. He focuses on creating accurate, engaging, and well researched content that delivers reliable information and reader value.