Joe Mataele: A life less ordinary

Joe Mataele, 34, was named the Defence Force’s Person of the Year and the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Sailor of the Year at the end of last year. Here he is talking to Dale about his life in the navy.

 

Tēnā koe, Joe. Mālō e lelei. Interestingly, I see that, while you were born in New Zealand, you were raised back home in Tonga. Tell us about your names and your connections, please, and how you came to be born here but grew up there. 

My full name is Joe Tu’ilatai Siosaia Raymond Maile Mataele. I’m named after my dad, and then my middle names are from ancestors.

My mum was born in Sāmoa but grew up in Wellington. She had the opportunity to go to Tonga and work at the National Bank, and that’s where she met my dad — during a banking transaction.

My dad convinced her to marry him, and they lived in Tonga. However, they decided that it was best for their kids to be born in New Zealand. So, every time Mum got pregnant, she’d fly back here, give birth, and then take us back to Tonga to grow up there, as Dad’s life and work was in Tonga.

Dad’s name was Joe Tu’ilatai Afuitangimana Sipu Mataele. He was a member of parliament for many years and a businessman.

There were seven of us kids: Halaevalu, Astrid, Tuavava‘u, me, Maile, Tongamana, and Halaholo. Maile died in 2008, in a tragic car accident that also claimed the lives of four of my cousins. We also have many older siblings because my dad had been married twice before — but sadly his first two wives had passed away.

We grew up in Kolomotu’a, and did all our schooling in Tonga, from primary school to high school. And once any of us finished high school, we’d move back here and stay with extended family to either pursue further education or find work.

That’s pretty much the story of us kids, growing up in Tonga.

Whereabouts do you live now, mate?

Clevedon, down south. My partner Kelly and I moved here last August so she could be closer to her family. She’s from out here. We had our baby son, our first baby, last April, so it’s good for her to be around her family.

Lovely. Congratulations on the birth. 

Cheers, mate.

So, Mum and Dad are Tongan?

Yes, they’re both Tongan, but Mum (Aiona Fa’asua Saluni Mataele) also has Sāmoan blood.

Kia ora. Obviously, the reo was important to your mum and dad. You see cultures, including Māori, here, trying to reclaim what was almost lost. The Tongan language appears to be safeguarded by these practices. I’m assuming you’re bilingual, Joe — what does it mean to be comfortable in your own tongue?

Oh, man. I didn’t really appreciate what my parents did, taking us back to Tonga, until I came here and saw how some Tongans struggle to speak the language. They’re Tongan, but they don’t speak the reo, which makes it harder for them to connect with other Tongans who can speak the language — and they suffer in that area.

That’s one important aspect of learning the culture. I moved here when I was 18, and I lived with my cousin and her family in Western Springs. I was pretty lucky because they had a church fellowship where they lived,and they practised traditional Tongan culture every day. There’d be worship, dance, and ceremonies.

So, the culture and the language never left me.

That’s what I want for my son and future children, too, to be able to speak the language with our extended family and with me.

Tēnā koe. I’ve got Tongan mokopuna, from Kolovai.

Oh, true?

When I visited there last year, I was really struck by what we’d consider here to be a people with little in a material sense. Some people were doing pretty well, but for the most part, it seemed like a humble existence. And there was a generosity, a kindness, a sharing to everyday life. 

When you grew up in those sorts of circumstances, and recognised that some people don’t see money in the same way that we do in western society, what did it say to you about what we can learn from seeing the way that many cultures have thrived over the centuries?

It doesn’t really resonate with you until you move here, and you realise how much people prioritise financial gain. When you go back to the islands, you realise that you don’t need much. Happiness just comes from the people around you, not from what you’ve got. A lot of people in Tonga just make the most of what they have.

Many Tongans still live off the land and the sea, and it’s very humbling to see. It definitely takes you back to your roots, and the foundations that you grew up with.

What high school did you go to, Joe?

I went to Tonga High School, which is the main school in Nuku‘alofa.

Kia ora. I remember driving past it. So you came back to New Zealand after high school, and went off to varsity to study political science? What’s the story there?

I couldn’t get into the army because I didn’t meet the criteria for security clearance, which was to be in the country for five years continuously. Even though I was born here, I hadn’t lived here continuously for five years. And that was part of the pre-requisite.

So, instead, I decided to study political science and organisational management at Auckland University. Why political science? Growing up with Dad, he would always be debating with his siblings, on everyday issues and politics. That’s what made me interested in political science.

Three of my siblings also studied political science at Victoria University in Wellington — two of them have degrees in political science and international relations, and the other one has a degree in sociology and criminology. All three work in the public sector. My other two siblings work in the commercial and industrial space.

Dad and Mum were the foundation behind those degrees.

I see that when you finished your degree, you applied to the army again, but you didn’t get in again. How come?

I got in, but a few weeks before the intake, I broke my leg playing rugby league.

I was in a cast for two or three months.

Then my recruiter asked me if I’d thought about the navy. He said: “They have engines too.” He knew I wanted to be a mechanic. I hadn’t ever considered the navy, but I thought it was a good idea. I joined in 2015. And here I am.

Meant to be, mate. Especially seeing you were named the Defence Force Person of the Year and the Navy Sailor of the Year at the end of last year. Congratulations on that acknowledgment.

I know for many Tongan people, their faith is a very important driver in their lives, and of course, that’s a forum where you’re asked to be of service. Was it the same sort of thinking that led you into the navy?

Yes, definitely. I’m serving the people. I’m serving the nation. Someone had said to me that when danger occurs, usually normal people will be running away from the problem. But, if you’re in the service, you’re running towards the danger.

That really resonated with me — the idea of being able to serve and protect. So, yes, that was one of the biggest drivers for me joining the navy.

It’s disciplined, and you have to maintain a strong work ethic, even though challenges might be upon you. Tell us about joining up. What was it like when you first started? What were some of the things you missed, and did you have to modify your own behaviour to accommodate that?

Yes, definitely. I’d say that my self-discipline and work ethic was already ingrained in me by my family, before I joined the navy. So I knew I was going to be fine if I had to work by myself. That’s what I thought, anyway.

But when you’re living with 14 other people in the same room for 18 weeks, it’s a whole different story. That’s what makes it difficult — the teamwork. To live with those other people, practise communal harmony, self-discipline, urgency, punctuality, and maintain a high work ethic, all while you’re fatigued because of lack of sleep and countless sessions of physical training — that’s the most difficult part. You must learn how to work together as a team to achieve a common goal.

It’s a fast-paced organisation, too. When they give you information, you’re supposed to take that information, apply it, and then move on to the next task, which was very challenging. Keeping on top of yourself is hard.

But when you have the right people around you, when you have the right support — and the organisation gives you a lot of support — you’ll be fine.

You’re a Leading Marine Technician (Electrical). Can you tell us what that is, and what you do?

Marine technician is a trade. Leading hand is the rank. I also just got promoted a few weeks ago. So, now I’m Acting Petty Officer Marine Technician.

Marine technicians operate and maintain ships’ engines and all the systems needed to keep the ship working. When you’re working on a ship, or when you’re deployed, all those systems operate close to 24/7, and they never stop. Our job is to maintain those systems and ensure they operate within normal working parameters — and if something is off, we’ll fix it.

Quite different to political science. How many Tongans do we have in the New Zealand Navy?

Not too many. I’m not sure what the number is, but there are only a few of us. I’d say less than 100, but don’t hold me to that.

You’ve been on numerous deployments. What stands out to you, just as an example of some of the work you’ve been doing over the years, Joe? Tell us which waka you’ve been involved with, and where your navy career has taken you.

I’ve been posted to HMNZS Canterbury, Wellington, Te Mana, and I’ve also done maintenance jobs on other ships while working with the maintenance support team.

I’ve also been posted to Canada on a training exchange, and I was on one of their frigates, HMCS Regina.

When you get posted on these ships under the navy umbrella, you might do fisheries patrol or anti-pirating and drug smuggling missions. When I was on the Wellington, we were going to the Sub-Antarctic islands, where the main mission was to conduct patrols on ships of interest. These were ships identified as carrying drugs, or fishing vessels going over their quota, or any ships that weren’t supposed to be in our waters

In Canada, with the Regina, we were conducting anti-pirating patrols around the coast to Alaska, back to Mexico, to San Diego and then to Hawai‘i.

When you’re on these missions, you’re doing your trade job as well as any other roles you’re required to perform. For instance, all navy personnel are trained to be proficient in being part of a response team, which could be called on to fight fires or respond to toxic gas or flooding incidents.

It’s multi-faceted work, obviously. 

Yes, definitely.

It does ask much of your whānau, too. And being a new dad, it’s not as if you can stay home when you want to. You’ll be called away. It’s a tough life, in a sense, for family men. But even so, if you’ve got a beautiful family that supports you, then, I guess, it’s about working that out together. 

Yes, definitely. It’s very important that your partner understands that this is the line of work that you signed up for.

I’ve been pretty lucky, in the sense that I’ve not been to sea since my son was born. I’ve just been posted ashore at the recruit training squadron. My next posting will be in the Defence recruiting unit.

I’ve seen various friends and family members go on deployment, and that’s just life in the blue suit. It’s one of the things that people need to think about when they sign up for these roles. There’ll be times when they’ll be away from their families for long periods — they need to be all right with that, and their family must be all right with that, as well. You’ll miss out on certain family occasions, important dates in your life and your family’s life.

When you received your tohu, it must have been a very special day for you and your family. What has it meant to you to be acknowledged in this way? I guess you’d be the first Tongan ever to be picked as the New Zealand Defence Force Person of the Year?

I’m not the first Tongan, actually. That was James Faleofa, who was Defence Force Person of the Year and Navy Sailor of the Year in 2022.

I think that when you get an award like this, it’s more a reflection of the team that you’re part of — and I was part of a high calibre unit, the Leadership Development Unit.

But yes, it’s quite humbling. I’m very grateful for all my parents’ sacrifices. And not only my parents, but others in my family who’ve mentored, guided and supported me over the years.

My parents, siblings and family taught me to be humble about my accomplishments, and also to be gracious and pick myself up fast when I’m at my lowest. They ingrained in me the four pillars of Tongan culture, Faa‘i Kavei Koula. They are respect (faka’apa’apa), humility (loto tō), nurturing relationships (tauhi vā), and loyalty or passion (mamahi‘i me‘a).

I also learned from my mentors and colleagues, who taught me how to be proficient at my job, and how to be resilient, to pay attention to detail, and be adaptable.

All those people had a role in why I was put forward for this award. I’m very grateful to all of them for helping me out on my journey.

You were praised in your citation for being an inspiring leader who can influence the people around you in a positive way, including the new recruits you were training. I especially liked your comment about how you found your own path for being a recruit training instructor: you said you didn’t want to be a person who shouts. And that’s how you’ve rolled.

No doubt your personality has been part of the reason the Defence Force hoped you might assist in the recruiting space. How are you talking to others about what they might encounter if they choose a career with the navy?

I haven’t started my Defence recruiting job, yet. I’ll be starting that next month. But when I do, the main objective will be to educate the public about the purpose of the Defence Force, what it stands for, and the opportunities the organisation has to offer.

It’s a life less ordinary. And you gain life skills such as self-discipline, work ethic, teamwork, and collaboration. You’ll be able to study and gain academic qualifications that will be useful if one day you decide to leave. There’s the travelling experience obviously, and you make life-long friends. For me, the navy’s been my home away from home for the last 10 years.

Tēnā koe, Joe. What about your sporting life — did you play any sport in the navy? Does the navy have sports teams?

Oh, man, my sporting life. I play a little bit of sport, but yes, the navy has a lot of sports teams. Not only the navy, but the Defence Force as a whole. My main sport was rugby and rugby league. I represented the navy in rugby league, and also the New Zealand Defence Force.

What about your singing voice, Joe Mataele? Have you got a deep, rich voice, and do you sing loud from the back of the church?

Nah. My singing only happens in the showers — and also at church, when my voice is overpowered by everyone else’s, and no one can hear me.

Is there a Defence Force choir and kapa haka?

Yes, each service has their own bands and Māori culture groups. And ships have their own kapa haka groups as well. The navy also has a South Pacific community that gathers frequently to tautoko, practise cultural dances and songs, or just share a warm island feed. This group is led by some strong Pacific Island leaders in the navy.

What goals do you have as a Petty Officer Marine Technician?

The goal now is to join Defence Force’s recruiting team and learn as much as I can from those who are there. And, hopefully, help our organisation attract good people and talent.

I do have a soft spot for our Māori and Pasifika people, and I hope more of them will look at the Defence Force. But, of course, I’m here to give everyone a fair chance to get the opportunities that I’ve had.

Beautiful. What else do you, Joe? We’ve spoken about singing, sporting and navy-ing. How do you keep yourself fresh? Anything else that keeps you on your toes?

I try to stay healthy and stay fit. My partner Kelly keeps me on my toes with healthy meals. I go to our local gym, Cluster South, out in Manukau. I wake up early, get a workout in, and reset myself. And once I take care of myself, I can take care of everyone else. That’s one of my biggest philosophies: You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anybody else.

It’s been a pleasure having a kōrero with you, Joe. All the best with life, and your new pēpē, and thanks for having a kōrero with us today.

Cheers, Dale. Thank you for the opportunity.

(This interview has been edited for length and clarity.)

E-Tangata, 2025