Matewa Kiritapu captured attention when she appeared in the blockbuster film Thor: Love and Thunder, portraying an Asgardian Kid. As the daughter of acclaimed filmmaker Taika Waititi, Matewa Kiritapu Waititi has sparked curiosity among fans eager to learn about her background and family connections.
Born on August 21, 2015, Matewa Kiritapu age places her among the youngest talents to appear in Marvel productions. Her Māori heritage and family life, including details about Matewa Kiritapu mother and Matewa Kiritapu Waititi parents, form an essential part of her identity. This article explores her early life, family background, as well as her role in Thor: Love and Thunder and what the future might hold for this young emerging talent.
Who Is Matewa Kiritapu? Age, Background, and Early Life
Matewa Kiritapu Waititi was born on August 11, 2015, in Wellington, New Zealand. As of 2026, she is 10 years old[32]. Her zodiac sign is Leo, often associated with confidence and creativity. She holds New Zealand nationality and carries a rich Māori heritage from both sides of her family[32].
Growing up in New Zealand, Matewa Kiritapu experiences a childhood that blends normalcy with unique opportunities. Despite having famous parents in the entertainment industry, her upbringing remains largely grounded[3]. Like most children her age, she enjoys playing and drawing. She particularly loves visiting art galleries with her mother, with whom she lives in New Zealand.
Her exposure to film sets began at an early age because both her parents work as film directors. This has made her more well-traveled than most children, as she accompanies her parents on tours and shoots. Indeed, these experiences have shaped her worldview while maintaining the simplicity of childhood.
Her father openly expresses his affection for her. In 2021, Taika Waititi shared a touching birthday post featuring photos of Matewa Kiritapu as a toddler. The caption read: “Happy Birthday, Matewa, my love, and baby doppelganger. Now you are six. Wowee. May your rampage through life continue and god help anyone who stands in your way”. Her parents frequently photograph her, though she sometimes finds this attention annoying.
Matewa Kiritapu’s Parents and Family Life
Matewa Kiritapu’s mother is Chelsea Winstanley, an accomplished film producer born on January 30, 1976, in Tauranga, New Zealand. Chelsea carries Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāi Te Rangi ancestry through her mother, Cherry Wilson. She gained recognition as an Oscar-nominated producer for Jojo Rabbit in 2020 and produced the documentary Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen.
Chelsea and Taika Waititi married in 2011 after reconnecting while working on the film Boy. The couple separated in 2018 after seven years of marriage. They share two daughters: Te Hinekāhu, born on May 20, 2012, and Matewa Kiritapu.
Despite the separation, both parents maintain a co-parenting relationship. Matewa Kiritapu spends quality time with each parent individually. Taika frequently brings both daughters on film sets and created the Instagram hashtag #DadsOnTour to document their travels together. Chelsea, on the other hand, provides a culturally grounded environment focused on Māori traditions.
Following the divorce, Taika Waititi married musician Rita Ora in August 2022. Rita has embraced her role as stepmother, developing a close relationship with both Te Hinekāhu and Matewa Kiritapu. The arrangement demonstrates a commitment from all parties to prioritize the children’s wellbeing and maintain stability across both households.
Matewa Kiritapu in Thor: Love and Thunder and Career
Her on-screen debut came in Thor: Love and Thunder, where she portrayed an Asgardian Kid. The role remained small, yet it marked a significant milestone for someone so young. Taika Waititi directed the Marvel film, which transformed the experience into what felt more like a family project than a standard production. The director embraced what he called “nepotism at its very best,” deliberately casting children of cast and crew members, including kids from Chris Hemsworth, Christian Bale, and Natalie Portman.
Due to her parents’ careers as filmmakers, Matewa Kiritapu has inhabited movie sets since early childhood. Cameras, actors, and production crews represent familiar territory rather than intimidating novelty. Her involvement extended beyond acting. Taika Waititi relied on his children to help design monsters featured in the film. This creative input demonstrates how naturally she absorbs the filmmaking process.
Her father describes her as honest and strong-minded, unafraid to express her preferences. That directness adds dimension to her personality beyond the celebrity child label.
Thor: Love and Thunder remains her only confirmed screen credit so far. Given Taika Waititi’s prominence in the film industry, speculation exists about future appearances. The question remains whether she will pursue acting as she matures or explore different creative paths.
Also Read: Aria Ella Thornton
Conclusion
Matewa Kiritapu represents the next generation growing up within the entertainment industry while maintaining strong cultural roots. Her appearance in Thor: Love and Thunder gave audiences a glimpse of her natural comfort on film sets, though her future career path remains uncertain. All things considered, whether she follows her parents into filmmaking or pursues different interests entirely, her unique upbringing has already provided her with extraordinary experiences that most children never encounter.
FAQs
Q1. What role did Matewa Kiritapu play in Thor: Love and Thunder?
Matewa Kiritapu portrayed an Asgardian Kid in Thor: Love and Thunder. Though her role was small, it marked a significant milestone as her on-screen debut in a major Marvel production directed by her father, Taika Waititi.
Q2. How old is Matewa Kiritapu and where was she born?
Matewa Kiritapu was born on August 11, 2015, in Wellington, New Zealand, making her 10 years old as of 2026. She holds New Zealand nationality and carries a rich Māori heritage from both sides of her family.
Q3. Who are Matewa Kiritapu’s parents?
Matewa Kiritapu’s father is Taika Waititi, the acclaimed filmmaker known for directing Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder. Her mother is Chelsea Winstanley, an Oscar-nominated film producer recognized for her work on Jojo Rabbit and the documentary Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen.
Q4. Does Matewa Kiritapu have any siblings?
Yes, Matewa Kiritapu has an older sister named Te Hinekāhu, who was born on May 20, 2012. Both daughters maintain close relationships with their parents despite their separation in 2018, and they often accompany their father on film sets and travels.
Q5. How did Matewa Kiritapu get involved in acting?
Growing up with both parents working as filmmakers, Matewa Kiritapu has been exposed to film sets since early childhood. Her involvement in Thor: Love and Thunder came naturally as part of what Taika Waititi called “nepotism at its very best,” where he cast children of cast and crew members. She even contributed creatively by helping design monsters featured in the film.