Shrink the Plate – Get More Done
Ever noticed how a task magically takes up all the time you give it? Whether it's an assignment at kura or a big business decision – we fill whatever space and time we allow ourselves. In this blog, Anton shares real-life examples (including garage clutter and portion control!) to show how shrinking your plate – metaphorically and literally – can unlock a whole new level of focus and productivity.

The words we choose have power – they can lift people up or tear them down. Whether we’re speaking to our kaimahi, our tamariki, our whānau, or even ourselves, the way we shape our kupu makes all the difference.

In this blog, I share a lesson from my childhood that’s stuck with me to this day, along with some real-life examples of how small shifts in the way we kōrero can create better outcomes – in business, in leadership, and in life.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about what we say. It’s about how our words make people feel.

In hospo, mistakes are inevitable. A wrong order, a long wait time, or a simple slip-up – it’s never ideal, but it happens. What truly matters is how we handle it.

In this blog, I share why owning our mistakes (without excuses) is the key to building trust, both in business and in life. From handling guest complaints to everyday challenges, the way we respond to setbacks defines us more than the mistakes themselves.

Because at the end of the day, life’s too short to waste time defending what went wrong. It’s better to find a solution and move forward.

Read the full blog here

Last week, Aotearoa stood proud as Te Matatini 2025 brought the power of te reo Māori, tikanga, and kapa haka to the world stage. Millions tuned in, social media was flooded with unforgettable moments, and people - Māori and non-Māori alike - were deeply moved by the performances.

But here’s the challenge: Te ao Māori isn’t just something to admire when it’s entertaining. We don’t get to celebrate kapa haka while staying silent when kaupapa Māori and te reo Māori are under threat.

In this blog, I reflect on the beauty of Te Matatini and ask the big question - if te ao Māori gave us this incredible gift, what will we give back?

Life gets real when we step outside our comfort zone. This week’s blog dives into why doing hard things actually makes us feel good. From my whānau’s personal wins to tackling business challenges, I’ve realised that comfort is the real trap. Happiness? It’s found on the other side of the hard stuff. Read the full kōrero here

Many people say, “I don’t see colour,” thinking it’s a way to express fairness and equality. But the truth is, ignoring cultural differences doesn’t create unity - it erases identity.

In this blog, I challenge that mindset and explore why recognising and respecting cultural differences is the real way to show aroha and manaakitanga. Whether stepping onto a marae, visiting a temple overseas, or simply engaging with different communities here in Aotearoa, acknowledging tikanga, history, and identity is how we truly build respect.

It’s time to stop pretending we’re all the same and start embracing the richness of our differences. Let’s see the world in full colour. 🌏

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.

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.

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.

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.

🎯 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! 💪

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.

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.

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

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.

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. Written by Anton Matthews, Owner of Hustle Group

This piece explores the role we all have to be great ancestors for our future generations. Being a good kaitiaki means making good decisions today that serve our tamariki and mokopuna. Written by Anton Matthews, Owner of Hustle Group

What does it mean to lead with manaakitanga and why is it such a critical part of te ao Māori? Anton Matthews, Owner of Hustle Group explains why

A heartfelt piece discussing the realities of running a business and whānau business and the constant pursuit of finding the perfect balance in life - written by Anton Matthews, Owner of Hustle Group

A blog post that explores the lessons learned from failure - written by Anton Matthews, Owner of Hustle Group