About Us

The Origin Of Mātai Media & our Collective

Mātai Media is an internationally roaming content-creation company that was born in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We collaborate with clients and organisations from all over the globe who work towards having a positive impact, whose values and philosophies care for and benefit the social, political and environmental spheres of our world.

The word Mātai has many meanings in Te Reo Māori, a language of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and of the ancestors of the Founder of Mātai Media, Lu Davidson. Mataī is a strong and powerful native tree of Aotearoa, whilst Mātai also means to gaze upon longingly or to investigate and observe, the motivation for the content we produce. Mātai Media grows from these meanings – connecting strong respect for the natural environment and the desire to create work that inspires positive action whilst being inquisitive.

‍Mātai Collective was formed as an opportunity to collaborate with creatives from all over the world. Sharing our various skills and experience adds to our fresh, unique style.

our people

Who We Are

Lu Davidson, team member & founder of Matai Media.

Lu Davidson

Creative Producer // Videographer // Ecologist

Founder and Creative Director of Mātai Media

Lu supports others to clarify and communicate their calling, simplifying complicated messages for new audiences, aiming to captivate and educate. Her wide range of clients include consultancies, public sector, NGOs, agencies and production companies. She taught filmmaking in the Himalayas, Europe and New Zealand, worked as an Expedition Videographer at sea and in Antarctica and received International Awards for her short films. She isn’t afraid to push boundaries and mash-up genres, all in the name of storytelling.
Betsy, team member of Matai Media, sitting at her computer workspace, posing for a photo

Betsy Bauer

Editor // Producer

Mātai Collective Dream-Team Member

Betsy is currently rocking the world of the legendary Weta Workshop. Having worked on award-winning documentary television series’, films that have screened at Cannes and New York, and mentoring Kiwi youth on filmmaking and editing, she loves sinking her teeth into any challenge. A great friendship has grown between Lu and Betsy with many productions, gallons of English Breakfast tea and cosy hand-warmers.
Jess Papini, team member of Matai Media, taking a photo with a Nikon camera

Jess Papini

Copywriter // Photographer // Anthropologist

Mātai Collective Dream-Team Member

Jess has volunteered in social projects, proofread academic papers, taught English and copy-written for various genres, empowering her photography and writing about various cultures and environments. She is currently a copywriter for the World Health Organization, using her background in urban studies, social and health science-informed advice and content creation. Check out her photography here and her writing portfolio here.
Bruna, team member of Matai Media, posing for a photo with a white background

Bruna Miguel

Data Analyst // Strategist // Creative Writer

Mātai Collective Dream-Team Member

Bruna is our Data Analyst with a background in Financial Mathematics and International Business, Bruna has been mostly working in client acquisition and online marketing management. She has specialised in Corporate Social Responsibility, aligning with her life-long passion for animal welfare and social-environmental causes. She also has expertise in translating, creating content and teaching through various projects.
Lorna, team member of Matai Media, posing for a photo with a colorful street art wall background

Lorna McDowell

Content Writer // Copy Editor

Mātai Collective Associate

Lorna is a powerful copywriter, blogger and editor. She has worked across the nonprofit and private sectors and volunteered for social initiatives. She focuses on the English language, visual cultures and bringing objects to life by telling important social and political stories. She has managed content for an NGO focused on transforming the global food system into one that’s plant-based and sustainable.
Beka, team member of Matai Media, posing for a photo while in creating a large illustration artwork

Beka Whale

Maker // Illustrator // Urban Farmer

Collaborator for epic video & animation projects

Beka is a multidisciplinary creative, bringing soul and human expressivity to the work. She has a colourful wealth of experience, working across the realms of theatre and film, social enterprise, youth empowerment, product development, sustainability/resilience and urban farming. She’s a powerhouse with a toolkit, prioritising beauty and simplicity, bringing the handmade to the digital. Check out her work with the League of Live Illustrators and her website.
Josie, a Matai Media team member, holding a small native NZ bird

Josie Galbraith

Illustrator // Scientist

Co-creator of “Feeding New Zealand Birds”

Josie is one bad-ass illustrator and artist. Excuses are not a part of her mentality, giving the middle-finger to her neurological condition which threatens the motor-skills in her hands. With a PhD in Science, her forays typically involve birds, animal behaviour, invasive species, or urban ecology and dressing up like a pirate.
Char, team member of Matai Media, wearing a onesie with a dead pan expression while holding a dog.

Char Hayes

Filmmaker // Humble Mastermind

Collaborator for epic video & animation projects

Char’s fresh perspective for scripts and editing makes her one of Lu greatest allies in the pursuit of powerful storytelling. She has collaborated on many productions with Mātai Media, whilst juggling an array of positive initiatives: coordinating festivals, building cafes, supporting political campaigns and being a general super-human.
Carla, team member of Matai Media, posing for a photo.

Carla Braun-Elwert

Filmmaker // Editor // Legendary Mountaineer

Enthusiastic advocate of Mātai Media

With an Honours’ degree in Biochemistry and a Masters in Natural History Filmmaking, Carla has edited multiple award-winning nature documentaries and made her own first feature-length adventure documentary, “Symphony on Skis”. When not in the edit suite, Carla thrives on the “mountain bit” of mountain filmmaking.

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