Matewa Kiritapu is a young girl who became known to many people after appearing in a Marvel movie. She is the daughter of famous New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi and film producer Chelsea Winstanley. Even though she is still a child, she has already stepped into the world of movies.
Many people search for Matewa Kiritapu because they are curious about her life, her family, and her future. She is growing up between two worlds — Hollywood and Māori culture. In this article, you will learn about her early life, her parents, her first movie role, and what makes her story special.
Who Is Matewa Kiritapu?
Matewa Kiritapu Waititi is the younger daughter of Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley. She was born in Wellington, New Zealand. As of 2026, she is 10 years old.
She became known after appearing in the Marvel film Thor: Love and Thunder. Even though her role was small, many fans noticed her.
Matewa is not just known because of her famous father. She is also part of a family that values culture, storytelling, and creativity. Her name comes from Māori tradition, which shows how important her heritage is to her family.
Early Life And Background
Matewa Kiritapu was born on August 11, 2015, in Wellington, New Zealand. She spent her early childhood there. Wellington is also where her parents built their careers in film.
Her childhood has been a mix of normal family life and special experiences. She plays, draws, and goes to school like other children. At the same time, she sometimes visits movie sets and travels with her father.
Her parents try to keep her life balanced. They allow her to enjoy fun moments but also protect her privacy. Most details about her daily routine are not publicly known, which helps her grow up in a safe way.
How Old Is Matewa Kiritapu?
Matewa Kiritapu was born on August 11, 2015.
As of 2026, she is 10 years old.
She appeared in a Marvel movie before she turned seven. That makes her one of the youngest children to appear in a major superhero film.
Who Are Matewa Kiritapu’s Parents?
Matewa’s parents are both well-known in the film industry. They are respected for their creative work and for supporting Māori storytelling.
Even though they are no longer married, they continue to co-parent their children. They both remain active in their daughters’ lives.
Her Father: Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi is a filmmaker, actor, and writer from New Zealand. He won an Academy Award for his film Jojo Rabbit. He is also known for directing Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder.
Taika is known for his humor and creative style. But at home, he is a father first. He often shares kind and funny messages about his daughters on social media.
He has said in interviews that his children inspire him. In Thor: Love and Thunder, he included drawings made by kids, including his daughters. This shows how he values their imagination.
Matewa has grown up seeing her father work on big films. But he also makes sure she has normal family time.
Her Mother: Chelsea Winstanley
Chelsea Winstanley is a film producer from New Zealand. She focuses on projects that support Māori voices and stories.
She is also known for her work with Matewa Media, a company that helps bring films into the Māori language. Through this work, she helps preserve culture and language for young people.
Chelsea’s early life included personal challenges, but she built a strong career in film. She teaches her daughters the importance of identity and culture.
Matewa’s connection to Māori heritage comes strongly from her mother’s side.
Matewa Kiritapu’s Māori Heritage and Cultural Identity
Matewa Kiritapu is of Māori heritage. Her name itself reflects this identity. Māori names often carry deep meaning and family history.
Her parents believe that culture and language are important. Because of this, Matewa is growing up learning about Māori traditions and values.
She is part of a new generation of young Māori children who are seen in global media. This representation matters to many people in New Zealand and beyond.
Her cultural identity is a strong part of who she is, even while she experiences life connected to Hollywood.
Matewa Kiritapu’s First Movie Role in Thor: Love and Thunder
Matewa appeared in Thor: Love and Thunder, which was directed by her father.
She played one of the Asgardian children in the movie. Her role was small but meaningful. Many children of the cast and crew were given roles in the film.
Her older sister also appeared in the same movie. It became a family moment behind the scenes.
This was Matewa’s first known acting role. It brought her into public attention at a very young age.
Other Screen Appearances
Some reports mention that Matewa may have appeared briefly in projects connected to her father’s work, such as the series Our Flag Means Death. However, full details are not publicly confirmed.
As of 2026, there are no confirmed major acting projects beyond her role in Thor: Love and Thunder.
Her parents have not announced any official acting plans for her future.
Growing Up Between New Zealand and Hollywood
Matewa’s life includes time in both New Zealand and the United States. Her father works on films around the world, which means travel is part of her life.
She has visited film sets and different countries. At the same time, she also spends time at home in New Zealand.
Her parents try to make sure she enjoys a simple childhood. Travel and film experiences are balanced with school and family time.
This mix gives her a unique upbringing, but her family keeps her grounded.
Matewa Kiritapu’s Siblings and Family Life
Matewa has an older sister named Te Hinekāhu. The two sisters are close in age and share many creative interests.
They both appeared in Thor: Love and Thunder. Working together on set likely created special memories.
Matewa also has a half-brother from her mother’s earlier relationship. Some details about him are not publicly known, as the family values privacy.
Family plays an important role in her life. Her parents often speak about love, support, and creativity at home.
Education and Daily Life
Matewa attends school, but the name of her school is not publicly known. Her parents protect this information for safety reasons.
She enjoys drawing, storytelling, and creative play. These interests are natural for a child growing up in a creative household.
Even though she has been in a Marvel movie, most of her life is simple. She spends time with friends, family, and school activities.
Her parents do not share many private details, which helps her grow in a normal way.
Her Parents’ Divorce and Co-Parenting
Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley separated in 2018. They ended their marriage quietly.
Even after their separation, they continue to co-parent their daughters. Both parents remain involved in Matewa’s life.
There are no public reports of conflict affecting the children. The family appears to focus on cooperation and support.
This helps Matewa grow up feeling loved by both parents.
Is Matewa Kiritapu on Social Media?
As of 2026, Matewa Kiritapu does not have any public social media accounts.
Because she is a minor, her parents protect her online presence. Occasionally, her father shares family photos on his own account.
This approach helps keep her safe and away from online pressure.
Will Matewa Kiritapu Act Again?
There is no official confirmation that Matewa Kiritapu will act in future films.
Her appearance in Thor: Love and Thunder may remain a special childhood experience.
Her parents have not publicly stated that they plan for her to build an acting career. They seem focused on giving her a normal childhood.
If she chooses to act again in the future, it will likely be her own decision.
Latest Updates on Matewa Kiritapu (2026)
As of 2026, Matewa Kiritapu is 10 years old.
There are no confirmed new acting projects announced for her. She continues to live between New Zealand and the United States with her family.
Her parents remain active in the film industry. They continue to support Māori storytelling and creative projects.
Most current information about Matewa comes from public appearances and social media posts shared by her father.
Conclusion
Matewa Kiritapu may be young, but she has already experienced something special. She appeared in a major Marvel film and gained attention around the world.
Still, she is first and foremost a child growing up with love and culture. Her life includes family support, Māori heritage, and creative inspiration.
Whether she becomes an actress in the future or chooses a different path, she has a strong foundation. For now, Matewa Kiritapu is simply a young girl enjoying childhood, with a very unique story behind her name.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the meaning of Matewa Kiritapu’s name?
Matewa Kiritapu’s name comes from Māori tradition. Māori names often carry cultural and family meaning. The exact full meaning of her name is not publicly confirmed, but it reflects her strong Māori heritage.
Is Matewa Kiritapu related to Rita Ora?
Yes. Rita Ora is married to Taika Waititi, who is Matewa’s father. That makes Rita Ora her stepmother.
Did Matewa Kiritapu design anything in Thor: Love and Thunder?
Her father shared that some creature designs in Thor: Love and Thunder were inspired by drawings from children, including his daughters. However, exact details about which drawings were hers are not publicly confirmed.
Where does Matewa Kiritapu go to school?
The name of her school is not publicly known. Her parents keep this information private to protect her safety and a normal childhood.
Does Matewa Kiritapu want to become an actress?
There is no public statement confirming her future career plans. She has appeared in one Marvel movie, but whether she will continue acting is not publicly confirmed.
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