General Info 

Kia ora & Talofa Lava. I'm Mathew Glanville – the founder of Eco Pirates – and this is the adventure of a lifetime, thirty years in the making.

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I was born and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand, and over the past three decades, I’ve dedicated my life to community development, youth empowerment, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. From working on the frontlines with vulnerable communities to building businesses and standing tall on social justice issues, I’ve always believed in action that creates meaningful impact. Now, all the strands of my life come together in one bold, slightly cheeky, and entirely purposeful kaupapa: The Eco Pirates.

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Why Eco Pirates?

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Simple. We're going to buy a big pirate ship (yes, seriously) and sail the Pacific – delivering cargo, running eco-projects, and having a jolly good time doing it.

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But it goes deeper than that.

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My mum is from sunny Samoa. Growing up, I was immersed in the beauty, songs, stories, and strength of our aiga (family). Our conversations always came back to how we could uplift and support our community back in Samoa. That seed has grown into a vision: a project that connects people to culture, community, and purpose – while restoring and protecting our ocean environments.

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After years of visiting family, building relationships, and refining the plan, I'm finally making it happen – because life is too short not to chase what matters.

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Our Mission

Eco Pirates is about action. It's about enabling people, protecting our environment, and uplifting communities. We're creating projects that:

• Bring people to Samoa and the Pacific to experience the culture, environment, and spirit of the islands.

• Offer space for healing, reflection, and reconnection in a world that often feels chaotic and disconnected.

• Celebrate fun, laughter, joy, and the deep satisfaction that comes from contributing to something bigger than yourself.

We want people to thrive. We want to provide opprtunity for spiritual growth, connection, healing, for you to feed your fire, connect with good people, and dive into hands-on community and ecological work. Whether you're planting coral, sharing kai, crewing the ship, or just soaking up the vibes – this is about passion, purpose, and play.

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My Call to You

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For 25 years, I’ve talked about this project. If you ever heard me say, "When I do it, remember me. Come hang out. Let’s do something fun” – this is it. That time is now. We’re building. We’re sailing. We’re doing the mahi. And you’re still invited.

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If you’ve landed on this page and you feel a spark – come join us.

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Want to sing, swim, surf, sail, explore?
Want to get hands-on in environmental or community development?
Want to invest, collaborate, partner, or just be part of something beautiful and bold?

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Then welcome aboard.

This is the Eco Pirates.
It’s sensible fun, with a wild heart and a mission to match.