Matai was first seen as a host on children's showPukana, an educational/variety show written entirely in Māori. He is better known as host of Korero Mai and Whanau, a drama series that teaches the Maori language to viewers. Matai has since hosted live karaoke show Homai Te Paki Paki, as well as appearing as a regular host on Good Morning between 2007 and 2012. He is one of very few personalities who has worked for most of New Zealand's main national television networks, including Māori Television, TVNZ and TV3.