I met Matt at our badminton club and he would stand out in his favourite bright yellow tshirt. Over time I learned that we worked in the same industry, that meant we could share our pain points and offer solutions to help each other out. Our shared love of plants, particularly indoor plants, was one of the interests that brought us closer. Matt’s passion for plants truly blossomed after he managed to keep his outdoor plant thriving through rain and shine. We would often discuss the best ways to propagate plants, exchange tips, and share the small victories of keeping our green companions alive and well. Another one of our shared interests was our love for *RuPaul’s Drag Race*. We would eagerly discuss every episode, laugh at the funniest moments, and, of course, root for our favorite queens. Matt always made sure I stayed up-to-date with our favorite reality TV series, reminding me to never miss an episode, especially as the finale approached. Watching that final episode without him will be incredibly hard. A fond memory I have of Matt is how we would wander through stores together, on the lookout for that perfect quirky t-shirt, especially when it was time for his office Secret Santa. It was never just about the gift; it was about the fun, the laughter, and the stories that would come out of those shopping trips. We also loved exploring the local vegan restaurants, sharing meals and conversations that I’ll forever cherish. His absence leaves a void in my life, one that will be hard to fill. But I know that every time I watch an episode of *Drag Race*, care for my plants, or find a quirky t-shirt that makes me smile, I’ll feel his presence with me. Rest in peace, Matt. You will be deeply missed.

miss you brother i hope you find the peace you were after

Matthew is deeply loved, and I am heart broken to see him leave so soon. He struggled in life, and overcame those difficulties, and I’m so, so proud of him. Matthew has been kind, compassionate, and I am forever grateful to him for being a loving presence during my darkest times. I remember back in school, he lent me the most valuable colouring pencil (black) and I knew he was a good person. Matthews sense of integrity and values set a foundation for me, to recognise the type of people I should associate with. I will always cherish the memories we hung out together. I’m sad I won’t see you again in this lifetime. If there is a next life, I hope we meet again.

Matthew was a sensitive, kind but also passionate soul. We meet in the first year of uni through Sandi. He convinced me to take a paper on anthropology of music and generously shared his immaculately kept notes and wowed me with his knowledge and passion for kpop - SNSD had a special place in his heart! He has strong left winged views, and was very passionate labour supporter. A memory of Matthew that always makes me chuckle was when a certain Auckland mayor shamlessly went around campus during O week taking photos with students. Matthew was disgusted and very determined to not ever be caught in a photo supporting the enemy party. He educated and warned us of the evil evil man taking advantage of unknowing students. He was very knowledgeable on the topics he is passionate about - NZ politics, kpop, technology, travelling and being vegan. He is always willing to share his passion and knowledge with others. Thank you Matthew for sharing and letting me in to the vulnerable side of your life. It was heartbreaking hearing about your struggles, life has not always been easy or kind to you. I am so proud of your resilience, and the kindness and compassion you show towards those that have hurt you in the past. It is heart breaking that you wont make it to the Taiwan Pride event in October - you were really looking forward to going back to Taiwan for the amazing vegan food scene and exploring other parts of Taiwan you haven't seen before. It is still such a shock, you were taken away too suddenly, and too soon. I wish I told you how thankful I am to have gone through uni with you and am so proud of everything you have achieved and who you have become. Billy is extremely fortunate to have you as his dad. Thank you for all the great memories and chats. You loved, and you have been loved. You will be sorely missed Matthew. May you rest in peace and be free to be exactly who you want to be.

Matthew you were such a kind and gentle soul and friend who I am so glad to have crossed paths with in this life. Although it is sad to see you leave this world so early but I believe that only you know what is over the other side. May that other side is heaven and the place you longed for. I thank you for the many times you were kind to me in our conversations and I have learnt so much from your knowledge. The world will miss out another great talent of which you would have been able to contribute to society. But nonetheless may your contribution you have made will leave an enduring mark on the hearts and lives of many.

Matt, I really wish we could all hang out more. We always had such a great time together, whether we were in Australia or New Zealand. You were a real friend, with a big heart and always ready to help. I loved our trips to vegan restaurants in Sydney and exploring the town. I truly admire your passion for animals and how thoughtful you've been, choosing to go vegan and showing us how it can make the difference. I’ll miss you, my sweet friend. Lucas.

I’ve known Matt since 2018. He’s reserved but incredibly charming. He’s not afraid to express his beliefs, yet he’s also a fantastic listener. Although you can be quite pessimistic, you have a knack for avoiding risks and always have a contingency plan in place. I wish I could support you with your ongoing foot injury. I wish I could help you with your move to Sydney. I wish I could be there for you during those times when life feels overwhelming. I wish we could track our bodybuilding progress together more and see how your vegetarian diet stacks up against mine. There are so many wishes, and I know I can’t turn back time to fix things, but this experience has taught me to cherish the people we love the most. You may think you have barely any friends, but what truly matters is that you have genuine friends who care for and love you deeply. Matt, you are one of the most honest and reliable people I know. I will always miss our weekly hangouts at Glenfield Pool, catching up and sharing our stories. I love you, and I look forward to meeting again in another life. RJ

Matt, it is crazy to think I'll never talk to you again after we've been a regular fixture in each other's lives for 20 years. You've had many struggles of your own but you've always been a good friend and willing to lend an ear, which I hope I was able to do the same in return. Let's catch up in another life.

My heart is saddened by this tragic news. May he be remembered as someone who is passionate, meticulous and driven. I have not spoken to him in years but I remember meeting him for the first time at a bus stop after school (MRGS). That was about 18 years ago. I remember him when he was lanky to being a healthy bulksize -haha; I remember him graduating, being at church, at lifegroup, going through jobs and him being passionate about them and listening to him talk about his cat, friends, the people he has crossed paths with. I mourn for the Matthew I knew; may his soul rest in eternal peace.

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