TikTok triumph put Ilai Havea Matangi ‘on a new mission’ to elevate Pacific content creators

Ilai Havea Matangi says taking out TikTok’s top honour has given him “a new mission”, and that the spotlight has made him more determined to uplift Pacific creators as his social media platform surges past five million followers.

The digital world witnessed history when the Tongan family man, known as Havea676, clinched the coveted top gong at the Australian TikTok Awards last month.

As the first Pacific person and first male creator to secure the platform’s highest honour, Matangi’s win was both a personal triumph and a landmark moment for Pacific representation.

Speaking on PMN Tonga, Matangi reflects on the monumental achievement, his explosive success, and what has changed for him since stepping into full-time content creation.

"It's just amazing. I'm so grateful,” Matangi says. “It just shows the amount of love and the amount of support that we have not only from my Tongan people, but the Pasifika people in general. I genuinely believe it was them that carried me through.”

Matangi’s journey to becoming a TikTok phenomenon, currently has 2.8 million followers and 154.5 million likes, began rather unexpectedly during the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020.

“There was no intention at all,” he recalls. “[It was] to keep everyone entertained.”

What started as casual family videos quickly resonated with TikTok users and laid the groundwork for Matangi’s full-time career.

Matangi believes his authenticity is the “secret” to his success. “I think the secret is just keeping myself, man. I genuinely think that's the secret.”

His platform has seen an explosive growth trajectory, particularly in the last two years. His popularity rose after winning the TikTok Comedy Creator of the Year in 2024 with 1.6 million followers at the time.

“Life has changed a lot,” he says. “I was able to leave my full-time job and I do content creating full-time now. I’m so grateful and that’s been an amazing ride.”

Since turning to full-time content creation, his follower count has surged to over 5.4 million followers across his social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

In the competitive landscape of Pacific content makers on Australian TikTok, Matangi stands among the macro-influencers.

While global stars like Sara Magusara (17.8 million followers) and the Rybka Twins (14.2 million) dominate with dance and acrobatic-type content, Matangi has carved a niche through relatable family-oriented comedy that showcases Pacific culture and parenting.

“I've unintentionally become like an ambassador for the Pacific,” Matangi says. “[In] which I wear that crown very, very proudly. Me getting up there, it's not just for me and my family, but for many out there, especially those that want to get into the content creating space.

“A lot of people tell me, ‘oh man, you've worked so hard’. In a way I have, but it doesn't feel like work.

“It's just literally putting a camera up and just recording how I am as a dad, how I am as a Tongan man, and just bringing up my values and everything that I was raised with. It's so amazing to see other people, especially non-Pasifika people, be able to relate to that as well.”

Matangi says negative feedback is part of being an online personality where people often express their opinions behind a keyboard.

“Everyone has their own opinion. Some people just feel so comfortable writing behind the keyboard…But the thing that's changed is my resilience and my energy going towards that negative stuff has decreased.

“Now that I do it as a full-time job, my mentality is if it's not going to better me, if it's not going to add any happiness, or joy, or put something into our bills, then there's no point draining my energy on it."

Looking ahead, Matangi and his family are excited about upcoming collaborations and brand deals. He remains tight-lipped about “some big things ahead” but is ready to take on opportunities as they come, knowing that his authentic self and the unwavering support of his community continue to drive his remarkable journey.