‘Tinā’ Breaks Records and Joins Aotearoa NZ Film History
Tinā is the gift that keeps on giving! The feature, edited by Luke Haigh (DEGANZ), has cemented itself in Aotearoa’s film history, securing the fifth spot on the Top Ten Most Successful Kiwi Films list, just overtaking Whale Rider.
- Hunt For the Wilderpeople (2016) – $12,207,699
- Boy (2010) – $9,322,000
- The World’s Fastest Indian (2005) – $7,059,147
- Once Were Warriors (1994) – $6,801,471
- Tinā (2025) – $6,498,469
- Whale Rider (2003) – $6,496,371
- Sione’s Wedding (2006) – $4,075,000
- What Becomes of the Broken Hearted (1999) – $3,201,000
- What We Do in the Shadows (2014) – $2,595,000
- Footrot Flats (1986) – $2,400,000
Tinā had one of the widest releases for a local film, reaching 132 locations. Its debut set a solid precedent, breaking the third-highest opening week of all time for a local film, just behind Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Sione’s 2: Unfinished Business.
NZ Film Commission CEO, Annie Murray, comments on the success:
Breaking into the top five most successful New Zealand films of all time, and surpassing a beloved classic like Whale Rider, is no small feat. Tinā’s success in Aotearoa, combined with cinematic release in Australia and the United States, proves a distinctly local story can resonate globally. Its themes of grief, community, hope, and love speak to the human condition. Crucially, Tinā also shows that commercial and critical success are not mutually exclusive. When we invest in stories that speak to who we are, audiences show up in force.
It’s been thrilling watching the film’s success. Congratulations to Luke and the team!
Last updated on 20 August 2025
