Eldest son of son of Emere (Emily) Apanui (née Mair) and David Heta Reweti Stewart of Heale St, Thames, Coromandel. His mother, Emere Apanui, was the daughter of Captain Gilbert Mair and Raiha Apanui of Ngāti Awa.
He was one of ten children. His siblings were Alice Josephine Turuhira Stewart (1891–1950), John Francis Stewart (1894-1968), Willoughby Stewart (1897–1938), Edward McDonnell Wepiha Stewart (1898–1967), Doris Jeanette Stewart (1899–1917), Reginald Robertson Stewart (1902–1950), Leopold Norman Stewart (1902–1977), Mary Kate "Molly" Stewart (1905–1965), and David Apanui (Pareiha) Stewart (d. 1915).
Went to Parawai Primary School, Thames. As the oldest son he took on a lot of responsibility after his father died in 1909.
Matthew Rapana Stewart (12/451) and his two brothers, David Apanui Stewart (16/123) (also known as Pareiha Tuati) and John Francis Stewart (1376), all served in World War I.
Matthew Stewart was the first to enlist, joining the 6th Hauraki Company on 11 August 1914. He trained at Epsom Camp, Auckland, and embarked for Egypt on 16 October 1914 aboard the Waimana. He fought in the Suez Canal Campaign against the Ottoman Turks in February 1915 and took part in the Gallipoli landings on 25 April 1915.
His younger brother, David (Pareiha Tuati) Stewart, enlisted in October 1914 under the name Pareiha Tuati (16/123) and joined the 1st New Zealand Māori Contingent. He trained at Avondale Camp and embarked for Egypt in February 1915 aboard the Warrimoo. He later deployed to Gallipoli, where he served alongside the Māori Contingent. On 16 August 1915, he was wounded in action and died while being evacuated to Lemnos Island. He is buried at Portianos Military Cemetery, Greece. At the time of his death, Matthew was stationed just a mile away at Gallipoli.
Following David’s death, John Francis Stewart sought to enlist, but his mother refused to sign his papers. Determined to serve, he left New Zealand for England in August 1915 aboard the Tainui. He officially enlisted in December 1915, joining King Edward’s Horse and serving with the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal and returned to New Zealand in 1919.
Matthew Stewart continued serving on the Western Front in France, where he was wounded three times. He was promoted to Sergeant before being discharged in 1919.
Was enlisted for the duration of the war, and served at Gallipoli, and in Egypt and Western Europe. During the war he kept a diary of his service.
MEN WHO HAVE FALLEN.
LANCE-CORPORAL STEWART. Lance-Corporal Matthew Stewart recently reported as wounded, is the eldest eon of Mrs. H. D. Stewart, of Parawai, 1 names. Being; one of the first to enlist he left New Zealand with the main body (6th Haurakis), and went through the campaign against the Turks, afterwards going to Prance with the Anzacs. He was a pupil of the Thames High School, and a prominent athlete on the football field. Another brother, Jack Stewart, is at present in camp at Curragh, in Ireland, and David Stewart, the third son of the family, died of wounds received at Gallipoli. New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16246, 3 June 1916, Page 8
While serving in England he met Celine Mary Booth, who he married at St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland, New Zealand on 6 Jul 1920. They had a daughter, Tarei (also known as Peg) in 1921.
Family information partially provided by niece in October 2023. AWMM