Matthew McIntyre Wilson is a tangata tiaki of knowledge, with a practice grounded in the deep connections between whenua, whakapapa, and wānanga. The Whanganui Awa has always been more than just a physical presence for McIntyre Wilson (Taranaki Iwi, Tītahi, Ngā Māhanga); it is a living being, one that has shaped his understanding of who he is, and his relationships with uri (descendants) of the Awa.
His practice reflects this understanding, especially through his work in reviving traditional Māori weaving techniques, and in particular, the crafting of hīnaki, kupenga, and korotete.