Prominent women matai in Samoa include scholar and historian Aiono Fanaafi Le Tagaloa (matai title Aiono), high chief and senior cabinet minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa (matai title Fiame), politician Safuneitu'uga Pa'aga Neri (matai title Safuneitu'uga) and writer Letuimanu'asina Emma Kruse Va'ai (matai title Letuimanu'asina).
Representing Gagaifomauga No. 2 electoral constituency is matai and politician Safuneitu'uga Pa'aga Neri, the current Minister of Communication and Technology in the Parliament of Samoa.
The Tafua Rainforest Preserve was established in 1990 as a covenant between the village chiefs (matai) and funds from Seacology, model Christie Brinkley and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency to protect native rainforests.