M.A.T.C.H recognised with Kaupapa Award at Te Hapori Matihiko Awards

Māoriland’s Tech Creative Hub, M.A.T.C.H has been recognised for outstanding contributions to not-for-profit, community, iwi, or social enterprise in the digital and tech sector.

It was named the Tipu recipient of the Kaupapa Award at the 2025 Te Hapori Matihiko Awards in Ōtautai at an awards ceremony in Ōtautahi last night. 

Also honoured with the Tōtara Award were digital pioneers Nikolasa and Potaua Biasiny-Tule of Digital Natives Academy, who have long championed digital empowerment for rangatahi Māori.

Founded in 2017, M.A.T.C.H is a kaupapa Māori-driven creative tech studio that empowers Māori through industry-focused training in animation, filmmaking, creative technology, and event management. 

Participants are trained in specific screen and creative tech disciplines including animation, editing, storytelling, and live production in a real-world, collaborative environment shaped by the tuakana–teina model gaining hands on experience and industry relationships. 

M.A.T.C.H is a kaupapa Māori creative training ground that stands apart from traditional vocational programmes. It is fees-free, culturally grounded, and closely connected to industry, with strong partnerships across Aotearoa and around the world. Over the past eight years, M.A.T.C.H has supported hundreds of rangatahi and Māori creatives through workshops, intensives, internships, and hands-on creative projects – delivered in collaboration with local communities and national industry leaders.

M.A.T.C.H was created to bridge the gap for Māori to enter and thrive in tech creative industries. “As working creatives ourselves, we knew it was vital that our graduates left with more than just skills — they need real opportunities and industry connections,” said Māoriland Kaiwhakahau Hōtaka, Madeleine Hakaraia de Young. 

“Over the past eight years, we’ve built a reputation for developing outstanding talent, which is why we’re now deeply connected to both local and international industry — from Wētā FX and Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga – New Zealand Film Commission and Screen Wellington here in Aotearoa, to our partnerships with ABTEC and imagineNATIVE in Canada and the organisations behind our International Indigenous Animation Exchange: Ardán, TG4, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Galway City Council, and Galway County Council in Ireland. We’re not just training rangatahi for jobs — we’re opening doors to global careers and placing Māori at the forefront of the world’s creative tech future.”

M.A.T.C.H graduates, Seth Parata Stewart and Rautini O’Brien are two examples of the success of M.A.T.C.H. Seth was selected to travel to Ireland for the inaugural Indigenous Animation Exchange between Māoriland, Galway and Wellington – both UNESCO cities of film.  Highly talented animator Rautini O’Brien, who is both a graduate and facilitator of M.A.T.CH has now joined Seth and a team from the Wellington and Galway Cities of Film and the NZFC  at Annecy Animation Film Festival in France. Both Seth and Rautini are looking to bring back opportunities for Māori creatives.

M.A.T.C.H Manager Te Ata Rikihana accepted the Te Hapori Matihiko award on behalf of Māoriland.

“This award is a powerful acknowledgment of the kaupapa and of the hundreds of rangatahi Māori who have come through our doors to tell their stories, learn new skills, and forge futures in the creative industries. The Te Hapori Matihiko Awards are about recognising Māori excellence in the digital space, and it’s an honour for M.A.T.C.H to stand alongside other innovators who are leading the way for our communities.”

Ironically, international and national recognition comes as government support ceases for the M.A.T.C.H programme in July 2025.

Māoriland Charitable Trust Tumu Whakarae Libby Hakaraia said, despite delivering high-impact, industry-linked outcomes and gaining international recognition, the lack of funding means the future of M.A.T.C.H is on hold.

“M.A.T.C.H is already achieving what the government says it wants — strengthening links between vocational education and sustainable jobs in the creative sector, including the development of new qualifications to support emerging creative professionals with business skills and financial literacy, and increasing international business and opportunities. And yet we have had our funding cut. It seems like the Government is not interested in supporting the programmes that provide Māori with a pathway into the digital creative industry”.

“M.A.T.C.H has proved again and again that it is successful not only in providing job-ready skills to individuals but also in creating a community of successful Māori creatives. Māoriland is about long-term intergenerational wealth and health for Māori whānau, their hapū and iwi. We congratulate all of MATCH graduates and facilitators for being recognised with this award”.

Follow M.A.T.C.H at @maorilandfilm for updates on programs, events, and opportunities.