Anton Matthews Anton Matthews

Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness

This week’s Beyond the Hustle kōrero was all about money - a topic that’s often uncomfortable but crucial to unpack. Money isn’t evil, nor is it scarce; it’s a tool that amplifies who we are. We explored sayings like “money doesn’t grow on trees” and “money is the root of all evil,” and flipped them on their heads.

Money can’t buy happiness outright, but it can buy time, freedom, and opportunities to create meaningful memories with the people you love. At its core, money is about how we use it to align with our values and uplift ourselves and others.

If you’ve ever felt awkward talking about money, or you’re trying to rethink your relationship with it, this kōrero is for you.

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The Power Of Focus

This week, we hit "Blue Monday," the day many people give up on their New Year’s goals. But why does this happen? Often, it’s because we spread ourselves too thin, trying to do too much all at once.

In this blog, I share the story of a candle and a torch to explain the power of focus. A candle spreads its light everywhere but doesn’t shine brightly enough to see clearly. A torch, however, focuses that same light in one direction, making it stronger and more effective. Take it even further—focus that light into a laser beam, and it becomes powerful enough to reach the sky.

The same principle applies to our goals. When we focus on just one or two, we start to see progress, and that momentum keeps us going, even when motivation fades.

If you’re feeling stuck or like your goals are slipping away, it’s not too late. Realign your focus, choose what matters most, and pour your energy into it.

This year, don’t be a candle. Be a torch—or better yet, a laser beam.

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Haka - More than just a performance

Haka is one of Aotearoa’s most powerful treasures. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply meaningful - but it’s not just one thing.

We love haka when it fits the narrative: at rugby games, celebrations, or tangihanga. But when haka is used to challenge, protest, or make a stand, it suddenly becomes “uncomfortable” for some.

Who decides what haka is for?

Haka is a taonga. It’s not here to sit neatly in a box or make everyone feel comfortable - it’s here to shake us, move us, and remind us that emotions, even the uncomfortable ones, deserve to be felt.

Check out our latest blog where we unpack what haka really represents and why we need to embrace it in all its forms.

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When knowledge becomes believing

I’ve realised something about myself: I can understand an idea, even think I believe it, but nothing truly changes until I see proof in my own life.

Learning leads to knowledge, but proof creates belief. And belief is where real change begins.

If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself: Do you truly believe in what you’re trying to do? Maybe you just need to find the proof—and when you do, everything changes. Read this blog to find out more.

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How to win in 2025

🎯 The Secret to Achieving Your 2025 Goals 🎯

Are you setting big goals for the year ahead? In my latest blog, I share a powerful lesson I learned about achieving success in fitness, business, and life. Spoiler: It’s not about fancy hacks or shiny new ideas—it’s about consistency.

I talk about the ups and downs of reaching goals, including the cycle of optimism, doubt, and despair, and why pushing through the tough times is the key to winning.

If you’re looking for a dose of inspiration (and a reminder to stick with it), this post is for you.

Check it out now and let’s make 2025 the year of smashing goals! 💪

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Meet Hine Raumati

Ever wondered why the sun doesn’t always rise in the same spot? Or why our days are longer and warmer in summer?

Our tūpuna had a beautiful way of explaining this: through the pūrākau of Tamanui Te Rā, the sun, and his two wives - Hine Takurua, his winter maiden, and Hine Raumati, his summer maiden.

This isn’t just a love story - it’s mātauranga (knowledge). It’s about understanding the rhythms of nature, tracking the sun’s movements, and aligning our lives with the taiao.

This week on the blog, I share this kōrero, diving into how it connects us to the environment and why the summer solstice on December 22nd is worth celebrating. 🌿

If you’re keen to reconnect with the beauty of summer and the stories of our tūpuna, this blog is for you.

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A celebration of reclamation

In this blog, we’ve taken a look back at the history of education in Aotearoa - from the devastating impact of the Native Schools Act to the rise of Kura Kaupapa Māori.

Native Schools were designed to assimilate Māori, stripping away our reo and tikanga, while Normal Schools thrived in urban centres with prestige and resources. But through generations of resilience and determination, we’ve reclaimed what was nearly lost.

Kura Kaupapa Māori are now transforming education for tamariki Māori, offering a pathway that honours identity, language, and culture.

This week, during Wiki Hā, we celebrate that progress. Rangatahi from kura kaupapa across the motu are coming together for sports, te reo Māori is flowing freely, and pride in our cultural identity is alive and well.

It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come - and how much we can achieve when we stand tall in who we are.

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Tall Poppy Syndrome

In Aotearoa, we value humility and staying grounded - but somewhere along the way, we’ve blurred the lines between humility and cutting people down. Tall Poppy Syndrome is a habit we’ve all seen (and maybe even been part of), and it’s time to talk about it.

Anton shares his ideas and experiences around Tall Poppy Syndrome in this latest blog

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Balance not perfection

In this post, Anton talks about the thinking behind launching the podcast - Beyond The Hustle - and the importance of restoring a bit of balance to the conversation in a world of curated highlights online.

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Toitū Te TIRITI O WAITANGI - WHY WE MARCHED TODAY

Today our whānau took part in the hīkoi mō te Tiriti - walking alongside fifty thousand other people in what felt like a momentous occasion, with millions showing aroha and tautoko all around the motu and world. Read about our experience here

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