Tinā

I’ve played many Pacific Island mums ... and Mareta faces unique and significant challenges in the film. Without expecting it she starts her healing process

– Actor Anapela Polataivao on her central role in drama Tinā, The NZ Herald, 7 October 2024

After years of creating this story for my family, my community and for all of our people, I am so excited that we are finally so close to sharing it with everyone in Aotearoa.

– Writer and director Miki Magasiva on his debut feature Tinā, Stuff, 7 October 2024

We need to show that you're at least trying to make your situation better,. Or they're gonna take your benefit, you're gonna lose your power, poo your pants and then I'm gonna have to come clean it up. It's yuck.

– Sio (Beulah Koale) tries to cheer up the grieving Mareta (Anapela Polataivao)

At Francis our standards are extremely high, and the person we're after needs to be a little more like us.

– Peter Wadsworth (Jamie Irvine) brushes off teacher Mareta (Anapela Polataivao)

This is a teaching institution, otherwise you get the jandal- with love, of course.

– Mareta (Anapela Polataivao) lays down the law to her new choir

The heart and soul of Tinā is Samoan-born Polataivao . . . Stealing every scene, milking the most out of all the best lines and drawing your attention towards her in every frame, her revelatory performance is a tour de force that is not only deserving of every accolade coming her way.

– Writer James Croot, in a review of Tinā, Stuff website, 22 February 2025

Samoan actress Anapela Polata’ivao leads the film with a powerful performance that feels nothing short of genuine, while Antonia Robinson gives emotional substance to student Sophie. Both are tasked with delivering big, dramatic moments and neither fumbles or falls into melodrama. 

– Writer Karl Puschmann, in a review of Tinā, The NZ Herald, 21 February 2025