Matcha is a New Zealand dating app for people who want something real

Matcha at a glance

Why Matcha exists

Most dating apps are built to keep you swiping. Matcha is built to help you meet someone.

That shapes how it works. Profiles show more than a few photos, so you can tell what someone's like before you match. Women send the first message, so conversations start with someone who's actually interested. And when you're ready to meet, Matcha helps you plan the date instead of leaving you to sort it out in the chat.

Matcha is also made for New Zealand. A huge user base is no use if nobody's within reach, and outside the main centres the pool on any app can be small. Matcha only takes sign-ups from people here, so the people you see are local.

How Matcha works

1. 1

   Make a profile. Add photos, up to three prompts and a bio, and optional basics such as height, work, education and what you're looking for.

2. 2

   Like someone, with a comment if you want. Like a specific photo or prompt and add a comment, so there's something to talk about. Passed on someone by mistake? Tap Undo.

3. 3

   Match, and she says hello first. When a man and a woman match, she has 24 hours to send the first message. In other matches, either person can.

4. 4

   Chat. Send text, voice notes and photos, and see when your match is typing or has read your message. There's no need to share your phone number.

5. 5

   Plan a date. Tap Plan a date in the chat, choose coffee, drinks or food and a time, and Matcha suggests a spot about halfway between you. Your match can accept with one tap.

A few other things set Matcha apart:

• Meet in the middle.

  Date suggestions only need your suburb or town, which your match never sees. How meet in the middle works.

• Super Match.

  Really like someone? A Super Match matches you straight away, without waiting for them to like you back.

• Gentle nudges against ghosting.

  If a conversation goes quiet, the person who owes a reply gets one reminder.

• Daily rewards.

  Claim free likes, undos and comments every day, and a free Super Match when you claim seven days in a row.

Safety and moderation

• Every photo is checked when it's uploaded. A photo needs a face in it, explicit images are removed using Google Cloud Vision SafeSearch, and photos copied from elsewhere online are flagged.
• Only your matches can message you. And in a match between a man and a woman, she decides whether the conversation starts.
• Block and report from anywhere. From someone's profile, their card in Discover or your chat. People on our team review every report.
• You choose what others see. Settings control what's shown on your profile, and planning a date never shares where you live.

For tips on meeting safely, spotting romance scams and where to get help in New Zealand, read our online dating safety guide.

What's free and what's paid

You can use Matcha properly without paying. A free account lets you make a profile with three photos, like people every day, match, message, filter by age, distance and more, and plan dates.

• Matcha Premium.

  Unlimited likes, see who liked you, extra filters such as height, children, family plans, education and religion, unlimited undos and comments, five Super Matches a month, up to seven photos and a longer bio.

• Matcha Ceremonial.

  Everything in Premium, plus twice the profile visibility in Discover, ten Super Matches a month, dedicated support, up to nine photos and the longest bio.

Plans renew monthly until you cancel, and you can cancel any time. Current prices are shown in the Store in the app. More on this in free dating apps in New Zealand.

Who makes Matcha

Matcha is an independent dating app made in Auckland, New Zealand, by Sevastipol. It isn't part of a big dating company, and it's newer and smaller than the international apps. We'd rather say that plainly than pretend otherwise.

Questions, feedback or press: email [email protected].

Common questions