What if we told you that one of the youngest stars in a Marvel movie is just 10 years old — and also the daughter of a world-famous filmmaker? That’s the story of Matewa Kiritapu, the talented daughter of Taika Waititi.
She may be young, but Matewa has already been in a blockbuster movie and is getting noticed by people all over the world. In this article, we’ll take you through her life, her family, her first big role, and what makes her so special. Let’s meet the little girl who’s growing up in both Hollywood and Māori culture.
Matewa Kiritapu Quick Bio
| Full Name | Matewa Kiritapu Waititi |
| 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 |
| Father | Taika Waititi |
| Mother | Chelsea Winstanley |
| Siblings | Te Hinekāhu (sister), Maia (half‑brother) |
| Famous For | Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) |
| Profession | Child actress |
| Residence | New Zealand & United States |
Who Is Matewa Kiritapu?
Matewa Kiritapu was born on August 11, 2015, in Wellington, New Zealand. As of 2026, she is 10 years old and already known to many Marvel fans as the little girl who appeared in Thor: Love and Thunder.
She’s the youngest daughter of Taika Waititi, an Oscar-winning filmmaker, and Chelsea Winstanley, a well-known film producer. Matewa’s name comes from Māori tradition, and it carries strong cultural meaning. Even though she has famous parents, she still lives a simple and fun life like other kids her age.
She loves drawing, playing, and going on adventures with her family. But her time on movie sets and being around film cameras has made her childhood very unique.
Growing Up as Taika Waititi’s Daughter
Being Taika Waititi’s daughter means that Matewa gets to see the world of movies up close. Taika is known for his fun personality and creative movies like Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Ragnarok. At home, he’s not just a director — he’s a loving and silly dad.
Taika often talks about how much he loves his daughters. He once posted sweet birthday photos of Matewa with a funny caption calling her his “baby doppelganger.” He said he hopes she keeps rampaging through life — and that’s exactly what she’s doing, in the best way.
He brings Matewa along on trips, shares stories with her, and lets her help out on set. Their bond is full of laughter, learning, and creativity. It’s clear that Taika is not only proud of his daughter — he’s inspired by her.
Meet Her Mother, Chelsea Winstanley
Matewa’s mom, Chelsea Winstanley, is also a strong and creative woman. She is a Māori film producer, storyteller, and co-founder of Matewa Media, a company that dubs Disney films into the Māori language.
Chelsea’s life hasn’t always been easy. She faced big challenges growing up, including becoming a mom at a young age and dealing with a serious accident. But she turned her pain into power and became one of New Zealand’s most respected filmmakers.
She shares a deep love for culture and storytelling with Matewa. Chelsea often takes her daughter to art galleries and spends time helping her learn about her Māori roots. Even though Chelsea and Taika are no longer married, they both support their daughters fully.
Matewa Kiritapu’s Big Movie Debut
In 2022, Matewa made her first big appearance on the big screen in Thor: Love and Thunder. She played one of the Asgardian children — a small role, but one that fans quickly noticed.
The movie was directed by her father, and many kids of the cast and crew were invited to play roles in the film. Matewa’s big sister, Te Hinekāhu, also appeared in the same movie. It was a fun family moment and a very special debut for both girls.
Taika later shared that some of the monster designs in the movie were based on drawings by his daughters and other kids. So Matewa didn’t just act — she helped shape the film’s look too!
Matewa’s Sister and Siblings
Te Hinekāhu, born in 2012, is Matewa’s older sister. The two girls are very close and love doing creative things together. Whether it’s acting in a movie or playing at home, they share a strong bond.
They were both in Thor: Love and Thunder, and that shared experience brought them even closer. Their father sometimes brings them along on his work trips, and they get to learn about movies in a fun and hands-on way.
Matewa also has a half-brother named Maia, who is much older. He is from her mother Chelsea’s earlier relationship. Maia has also appeared in films, and he’s part of the family’s creative spirit.
Life After Her First Movie
After Thor: Love and Thunder, many people became curious about Matewa Kiritapu. She was praised for her natural screen presence, and fans started asking if she would act again.
But her parents made it clear that they want her to enjoy childhood first. She still goes to school, plays with her friends, and spends time with family. They don’t push her to become famous — they want her to choose her own path when she’s ready.
She’s only acted in one movie so far, but with her talent and family background, there’s a good chance we’ll see her again on screen in the future.
Matewa Kiritapu’s Māori Roots and Culture
Matewa is very proud of her Māori roots, and her family helps her stay connected to them. Her name, Kiritapu, is from the Māori language, and her home is filled with cultural stories and traditions.
Both her parents are passionate about keeping Māori culture alive. Her mother’s company, Matewa Media, helps bring popular movies to Māori children in their native language.
Matewa is learning the Māori language and traditions from a young age. Her family teaches her the value of respect, storytelling, and community. Even though she’s been in a Marvel film, her cultural identity stays strong.
How Her Parents’ Divorce Affected Her
In 2018, Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley quietly ended their marriage. They had been together for several years and shared a deep love for their family. Even though they went their separate ways, they stayed close as co-parents.
For Matewa Kiritapu, the divorce didn’t break the bond she had with either parent. Both her mom and dad made sure she still felt loved, supported, and happy. She spends time with both of them and enjoys different things with each.
Chelsea gives her time for quiet moments, art, and culture. Taika gives her fun adventures, stories, and movie sets. Their teamwork helps Matewa feel safe and strong, even with two homes.
Matewa’s Daily Life and Hobbies
Matewa may be a child actress, but her everyday life is pretty normal. She goes to school, plays with her sister, and enjoys drawing and crafts. She loves to imagine stories and create fun things out of paper and color.
At home, she likes simple things — like baking with her mom, playing dress-up, or dancing to music. Her parents try to keep her life calm and full of joy. They don’t want her to grow up too fast.
Even when she travels or visits movie sets, she still carries her favorite books, toys, or sketchpads. Her world is a mix of normal childhood moments and magical experiences.
Traveling the World with Taika
One of the most exciting things about being Taika Waititi’s daughter is getting to travel to amazing places. Taika often takes his daughters with him when he’s working around the world.
In 2022, he called one of their trips “Dads on Tour.” He and the girls visited Hobbiton, lakes, jungles, and caves in New Zealand. They even rode horses and took funny pictures. Taika shared these sweet moments on his Instagram Stories.
Even though Matewa sometimes gets annoyed when her dad stops to take too many photos or videos, she loves spending time with him. These trips are full of laughter, learning, and special memories.
What’s Next for Matewa Kiritapu?
After her role in Thor: Love and Thunder, many people are wondering — will Matewa Kiritapu act again? Right now, she’s focused on being a kid. But she clearly has a natural talent for acting.
She might appear in more films in the future, maybe even projects with her dad or mom. Or, she might try something completely new like drawing, writing, or music. Her family gives her the space to choose her path.
One thing is clear — Matewa is growing up in a world full of stories, culture, and support. Whatever she chooses to do, she’ll have the tools and love to do it well.
Why Everyone Loves Taika Waititi’s Daughter
People love Matewa Kiritapu not just because of her famous last name — but because of her energy, charm, and heart. She’s curious, smart, and full of joy. And she shows that even in a big world like Hollywood, you can stay true to yourself.
Her story is also special because she represents something important — a new generation of Māori talent. Her presence in a big movie like Thor helps bring more attention to indigenous voices and young creative minds.
In the end, Matewa is a little girl with a bright smile, big dreams, and a strong spirit. Whether she becomes a full-time actress or follows another dream, she’s already left a mark — and people are excited to watch her grow.
Final Thoughts
Matewa Kiritapu, the daughter of Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley, is not just growing up in Hollywood — she’s growing up with heart, culture, and creativity. From her small movie role to her big personality, Matewa is showing the world what it means to be a young star with deep roots.
She may only be 10 years old, but her story already inspires many. With a strong family, rich Māori heritage, and endless curiosity, she has everything she needs to shine — on screen or off.
Her journey is just beginning, and the world is watching with love and excitement.
Let’s see where life takes her next.
(FAQs)
How old is Matewa Kiritapu and when was she born?
Matewa Kiritapu is 10 years old. She was born on August 11, 2015. She was in a big Marvel movie before she turned 7!
Who is Matewa Kiritapu’s mom?
Her mom is Chelsea Winstanley. She makes movies and tells Māori stories. She also helps turn Disney movies into the Māori language.
Was Matewa Kiritapu really in a Thor movie?
She was in Thor: Love and Thunder in 2022. She played a child from Asgard. The movie was directed by her dad, Taika Waititi.
What movies has Matewa Kiritapu been in?
She has been in:
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Thor: Love and Thunder
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A small part in Our Flag Means Death
That’s a big start for someone her age!
Where does Matewa Kiritapu live and who is her dad?
Her dad is Taika Waititi, a famous movie director. She lives in New Zealand, but also visits the United States. She travels with her parents and lives a happy life.
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