Who Is Rose Matafeo? Biography and Personal Details
Rose Matafeo is a New Zealand comedian, writer, actor, and presenter who has built a career spanning stand‑up, television, and film. Born in Auckland on 25 February 1992, she is 34 years old as of June 2026. Her father is of Samoan descent, and her mother has Croatian and Scottish ancestry.
Matafeo began performing stand‑up at the age of 15 after attending a comedy boot camp. Within two years she had won an award at the 2007 New Zealand International Comedy Festival. By 21 she had received the Billy T Award, a milestone that marked her as a prominent figure in New Zealand comedy.
Rose Matafeo Age and Birth Date
Her date of birth is 25 February 1992, making her 34 in mid‑2026. That information is consistently reported by NZ On Screen, IMDb, and Famous Birthdays.
Rose Matafeo Height and Physical Appearance
No official source lists her height. Public estimates range between 5′4″ and 5′7″, but none are verified by a reliable agency or interview. The uncertainty about her height is common among public figures who have not disclosed the measurement.
Rose Matafeo Nationality and Upbringing
She was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. Her multicultural background – Samoan on her father’s side, Croatian and Scottish on her mother’s side – has been noted in several profiles, though she rarely discusses it in depth in her comedy.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rose Matafeo |
| Date of Birth | 25 February 1992 |
| Place of Birth | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Occupation | Comedian, Actress, Writer, TV Presenter |
| Years Active | 2010–present |
| Notable Awards | BAFTA nomination, Edinburgh Comedy Award for Horndog |
| Height | Not officially confirmed (estimated ~168 cm / 5′6″) |
| Relationship Status | Private; previously dated James Acaster |
| Children | None confirmed |
- Rose Matafeo is a BAFTA‑nominated New Zealand comedian and actress, best known for her BBC show Starstruck and the award‑winning stand‑up special Horndog.
- She gained a wider UK audience after appearing on Taskmaster (Series 13), where her competitive yet playful style was well received.
- Her romantic relationship with comedian James Acaster (2016–2020?) generated significant public interest and remains a top search query.
- Despite frequent queries about children and height, neither fact is widely documented; no children are known, and height is not publicly confirmed.
- Her connection to Rowan Atkinson is unclear – no confirmed collaboration exists, and the query likely stems from a mistaken association.
Who Is Rose Matafeo’s Partner? Relationship History
Questions about Matafeo’s partner are among the most searched topics related to her. The available sources provide limited and sometimes conflicting information.
Rose Matafeo and James Acaster: A Past Relationship
Multiple media reports, including an article in The Guardian (2022), state that Matafeo dated fellow comedian James Acaster. The relationship is widely acknowledged in entertainment coverage, though neither party has publicly discussed the timeline in detail. Most reports indicate they are no longer together.
Current Relationship Status
No recent source confirms a current partner. Matafeo has not publicly addressed her relationship status since the separation with Acaster, and her talent agency page (Avalon UK) does not mention any partner. The information remains private.
While it is established that Rose Matafeo and James Acaster dated, there is no up‑to‑date confirmation about whether they are still together. Most coverage suggests they have parted ways, but no official statement from either comedian exists.
What Are Rose Matafeo’s Most Notable TV Shows and Movies?
Matafeo’s career includes stand‑up, television series, and a recent film role. Her work has been recognised with a BAFTA nomination and an Edinburgh Comedy Award.
Rose Matafeo on Taskmaster
She appeared as a contestant on Taskmaster UK Series 13 in 2022. Later she returned as host of Junior Taskmaster, a spin‑off of the popular comedy panel show. Her Taskmaster appearances introduced her to a broad UK audience.
Starstruck and Horndog: Key Career Highlights
Starstruck, which she created, wrote, directed, starred in, and executive produced, ran for three series on BBC Three and later streamed on HBO Max. It was BBC Three’s best‑performing new comedy upon release. Her stand‑up show Horndog won the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Best Comedy Show award in 2018, earning her a BAFTA nomination.
Matafeo is described as a BAFTA‑nominated comedian; IMDb lists one BAFTA Award nomination. Her Edinburgh win for Horndog is considered a pivotal moment that raised her international profile.
The Loto Project
She voiced the character Loto in Moana 2. This role was confirmed by multiple sources, including IMDb and Avalon UK. The project is part of her expanding film work.
Connection to Rowan Atkinson
There is no documented professional collaboration between Rose Matafeo and Rowan Atkinson. The query appears frequently in search data, but no credible source links the two comedians. The association may stem from mistaken identity or a viral internet rumour.
Does Rose Matafeo Have Children?
IMDb explicitly lists “No Children” for Matafeo. No other credible source indicates she has children. The question is common among fans, but the answer is clear: she does not have children based on all available information.
Rose Matafeo’s Family Background
Her family includes her Samoan father and Croatian‑Scottish mother, but she has not publicly discussed siblings or extended family in detail. She keeps her private life largely separate from her public persona.
What Is the Timeline of Rose Matafeo’s Career?
- 1992 – Born in Auckland, New Zealand.
- 2007 – Wins an award at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, two years after starting stand‑up.
- 2013 – Joins the cast of Funny Girls, a New Zealand sketch show.
- 2018 – Wins the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show with Horndog.
- 2020 – Creates and stars in Starstruck (BBC Three / HBO Max).
- 2022 – Appears on UK Taskmaster Series 13.
- 2024 – Voices Loto in Moana 2; continues touring with new stand‑up material.
What Is Known and Unknown About Rose Matafeo?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| She was born 25 Feb 1992 in Auckland. | Her exact height – no official measurement. |
| She dated James Acaster; they are no longer together. | Whether she is currently in a relationship. |
| She has no children. | Details about the “Loto” project beyond voice role. |
| No professional link to Rowan Atkinson. | How the Rowan Atkinson query originated. |
| BAFTA nominated; won Edinburgh Comedy Award. | Future projects beyond Moana 2. |
What Is the Broader Context of Rose Matafeo’s Rise?
Matafeo represents a wave of New Zealand comedians breaking into international markets, particularly the UK. Her style blends self‑deprecating humour with sharp observational takes on relationships and modern life. The strong search interest around her personal life – especially her partner and James Acaster – reflects how audience curiosity often extends beyond professional work. High‑volume queries such as “Rowan Atkinson” appear to be false‑positive associations that should be clarified to reduce confusion. At 34, she is still in the relatively early stage of her career, meaning continued growth and new projects are likely.
Where Can I Find Reliable Information About Rose Matafeo?
“Rose Matafeo is a BAFTA nominated comedian, writer and actor from New Zealand.”
— Avalon UK (talent agency)
“Rose Matafeo’s critically acclaimed stand up show Horndog won the award for Best Show at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.”
— Avalon UK
“Matafeo created, co-wrote and stars in the BBC Three/HBO Max comedy series Starstruck.”
— Wikipedia
What Are the Key Takeaways About Rose Matafeo?
Rose Matafeo is a BAFTA‑nominated New Zealand comedian, best known for creating and starring in Starstruck, winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Horndog, and appearing on Taskmaster. She has no children and no confirmed relationship since James Acaster. The Rowan Atkinson connection is unsubstantiated. Her career continues to expand, with a voice role in Moana 2 and further stand‑up work. For a broader overview of performers from her region, see our guide to New Zealand Comedians and Entertainers and the Taskmaster Contestants: Full List.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rose Matafeo
Did Rose Matafeo appear on Taskmaster?
Yes, she was a contestant on Taskmaster UK Series 13 (2022) and later hosted Junior Taskmaster.
What is Rose Matafeo’s connection to Rowan Atkinson?
There is no confirmed professional connection; this query appears to be a search anomaly.
What is Rose Matafeo’s role in Loto?
She voiced the character Loto in Moana 2. Further details about the production are not yet publicly available.
How tall is Rose Matafeo?
Her height has not been officially disclosed; estimates vary between 5′4″ and 5′7″.
What awards has Rose Matafeo won?
She won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show (Horndog, 2018) and has one BAFTA nomination.
Is Rose Matafeo married?
No public information confirms she is married. She previously dated James Acaster.
How did Rose Matafeo start her career?
She began stand‑up at 15, won a comedy festival award at 17, and later won the Billy T Award at 21.
What is Rose Matafeo’s ethnicity?
She is of Samoan, Croatian, and Scottish descent.
Daniel Mercer is Business & Economy Correspondent at RegionalReport.co.uk, covering regional business news, local economy, employment, retail and property.