Tina

We saw this movie today. We lost our home to the same earthquake and so we were bound to be affected. This film touches so many sensitive areas but in a peaceful and loving manner. When there is so much anger around it is good to be touched by the emotions born of caring for each other. This film has been made with love for humanity, but it shows a way back for all people to be able to put aside their differences and find that common thread. It shows that the poor can help the wealthy to overcome their difficulties and their grief. This was the most emotional film we have seen in a very long while. This film makes one proud to be a person from the Pacific. I can only recommend this film.

Absolutely moving from start to finish.

Everything was acted incredibly. Anapela Polataivao was absolutely on point. Perfect timing for lines, perfect expressions, absolutely felt this powerhouse of strength. My friend looked to see if it was based on a true story - it wasn't, so I absolutely want to go and hunt down more from writer Miki Magasiva. Amazing story which flowed fantastically. Came out of it feeling at once sad and uplifted, angry at the system which is still so broken. Justice was not served for that community, but it made a difference in the lives of a couple of kids. Maybe that's all we can do - one mind at a time. Maybe that's not good enough.

Moving and awe inspiring. It was my turn to choose the movie night, movie and I picked Tina. While my partner doesn't like drama style movies he looked to me half way through and said "I love your choice, this is funny" because all New Zealanders know the kiwi humour and we had some good laughs through the movie. The moving story, humour and good acting make this such a great movie for all to enjoy. The story is a beautiful tale of culture, appreciation, perseverance, following your passion and finding healing. I cried a few times and so did another woman on the right of us. We were moved. This film is truly wonderful, a must watch.

There wasn't a dry eye in the theatre. This movie made everyone laugh and cry. The performances were amazing and the music was surprisingly well done. The framework of the movie may seem familiar, but there's so much about this movie that is fresh and surprising. Masterful storytelling and pacing. Wonderful homage to mothers and teachers. The two leads were very impressive and perfectly cast. I enjoyed that there were aspects of the characters that they hinted at by different cues, but didn't feel the need to explain it. It's possible that some viewers will miss these cues, as they were seamlessly integrated into the film.

This brought back so many memories and emotions from such a painful time. There's a particular weight that comes with stories rooted in real-life trauma, especially when they hit so close to home. For many of us who lived through the Christchurch earthquakes, whether directly or indirectly, the memory of that time is etched into our bones. This film doesn't shy away from that reality - instead, it embraces the pain and the beauty in what followed: the resilience and the community connection and support. What truly stood out for me, though, was the direction. This is a great debut from Samoan director Miki Magasiva. There's something incredibly special about seeing Pasifika voices take the lead in telling stories of Aotearoa, especially when it's done with such maturity, sensitivity, and visual storytelling skill. Magasiva's direction is confident and deliberate. He lets the silences speak, gives the actors room to breathe, and allows the emotional impact to build naturally. Thank you to the beautiful cast and crew for bringing this story to life. Thank you, Miki Magasiva, for stepping into the spotlight with such a strong, moving debut. And thank you for making space for our stories, our pain, and our hope to be seen and honoured.