Prop Pip Love crashed over inside the opening two minutes and barnstorming No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker showed her strength to score.
It set up Matatū to hold on for a 41-24 victory over the Chiefs Manawa in Pukekohe on Saturday.
But they will be disappointed with their second half, having squandered a massive lead.
After Matatū jumped out to a 12-0 lead, the Manawa clicked into gear.
They demolished Matatū at the scrum 5m out, eventually shifting it right for captain Mia Anderson to score.
The Chiefs started to build momentum but Fiaali’i Solomona picked off an intercept to score against the run of play.
Matatū captain Grace Brooker scored to extend her side’s lead to 24-5.
Halfback Maia Joseph took a quick tap and put centre Amy du Plessis into space to score under the post.
The Manawa seldom found themselves inside the 22m, but strung together their best passage last in the first half.
Matatū’s defence was resolute, however, and their counter-ruck got them out of danger to hold a 31-5 lead at halftime.
Ariana Bayler scored early for the Chiefs to open the second half.
They moved the ball quickly, putting winger Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a into space to fend off Winnie Palamo and score and close the gap to 31-19.
Matatū prop Santo Taumata was yellow-carded for head contact, giving the Chiefs another chance.
They made the most of it when Louise Blyde scored to cut the gap to seven.
They were a different team and it took Matatū too long to adjust.
Replacement hooker Nat Delamere peeled off a rolling maul for Matatū to secure a little breathing room.
Taumata picked up another yellow card, upgraded automatically to red, but Olsen-Baker scored her second to secure the win.
The Hurricanes Poua recorded consecutive victories for the first time, beating the defending champion Blues 45-30.
Super Rugby Aupiki
The scores
Matatū 41
Kaipo Olsen-Baker 2, Pip Love, Fiaali’i Solomona, Grace Brooker, Amy du Plessis, Nat Delamere tries; Hannah King 2 con, Maia Joseph con
Chiefs Manawa 24
Mia Anderson, Ariana Bayler, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, Louise Blyde tries; Maddie Flutey con, Bayler con
Halftime: Matatū 31-5.
