From the Battlefield and Courtroom to the Classroom: Matt’s Inspiring Career Change
From the Battlefield and Courtroom to the Classroom: Matt Tihi’s Inspiring Career Change
February 11, 2025
Matt Tihi’s career path is nothing short of extraordinary. Having served in the army for 16 years as well as working in top law firms and government departments as a solicitor and adviser, Matt is now ready to take his extensive work and life experience into the classroom. He will spend the next year studying a Postgraduate Diploma at The Teachers’ Institute while gaining hands-on experience at Mt Albert Grammar as an English teacher trainee.
Matt’s journey began in the New Zealand Defence Force, where he served both domestically and internationally for 16 years. During his time in the army, Matt provided advice to senior military and government leaders on special operations matters, ran large-scale
construction projects in Afghanistan and led multi-agency task forces on operations. Seeking a new challenge, he pursued a Law degree (LLB(Hons)) at the University of Auckland and went on to work for top law firms, specialising in construction, commercial, and industrial property. Despite his success in the corporate world, Matt yearned for a more fulfilling career. “I was looking for a career that was going to be fulfilling and that would provide me with a sense of purpose. I also wanted to do something that was going to be interesting and exciting every day and that I could do for the rest of my professional life. Teaching ticked all the boxes for me,” he says.
His role at the Department of Internal Affairs, leading an Anti-Money Laundering team, was impacted by public sector budget cuts, prompting him to re-evaluate his path. “I could have re-applied for my old role, but it was a good time to take stock of my current career and whether or not I was on the path that I really wanted to be on,” Matt reflects.
Through conversations with teachers and visits to Mt Albert Grammar School and Rangitoto College, Matt discovered The Teachers’ Institute and its innovative teacher training programme. His passion for English, coupled with his desire to make a meaningful impact, led him to pursue a teaching career. “Despite my unique background, I’ve always been passionate about English. It was my favourite subject at school and I love reading and writing,” he shares.
Matt’s love for English began in school, and he is particularly passionate about helping students improve their writing and communication skills. He believes that understanding the “why” behind learning is crucial for student engagement and hopes to use contemporary examples to make the subject relatable. “Something that I think is really important is to help students understand ‘why’. Why do I need to study? Why do I need to learn poetry? Why do I need to do well in school? In my experience, everyone responds better and works harder if they understand the ‘why’,” Matt explains.
Matt has also made significant contributions to supporting Māori to excel in higher education. In 2015, he created and funded the He Maunga Teitei Prize for Academic Achievement at the University of Auckland to support Māori law students. Additionally, as a father, Matt’s personal experiences further fuel his commitment to teaching and inspiring the next generation.
Looking ahead, Matt has leadership aspirations and would like to be seen as an expert in the sector. “Once I qualify and am certified, I’d love to one day be considered a subject matter expert in the field of teaching English. I’d also love to take on more of a leadership role when the time is right,” he says.
His ultimate goal is to transform students’ attitudes towards English, turning it into their favorite subject through engaging teaching methods. “If I can take just one student from ‘I hate school, I hate English, I hate the library, I hate reading’ to ‘English was my favourite subject at school because of the teacher that I had’ I will consider my teaching career a success. Anything after that is just cream,” Matt proudly declares.
Matt’s advice to aspiring teachers is to carefully consider the responsibilities and rewards of the profession. He emphasises the importance of teaching not just subject knowledge but also life skills, encouraging and inspiring students to pursue their dreams. “Think about it really carefully. It is a very big responsibility—and a huge honour—to have the opportunity to shape the thinking of students. If you think you are up to the challenge, do it. I can’t think of a more rewarding career,” he advises.
