Wabi Sabi’s first feature film Tinā – directed by Miki Magasiva – smashes New Zealand box office numbers and dominates the top of the charts
Wabi Sabi Media Group is celebrating having the highest-grossing film release of 2025, with Tinā clocking up four weeks at number one. Box office takings of more than $3.8 million to date make it the seventh highest-grossing New Zealand film of all time—and it’s set to climb higher still.
Evoking both belly laughs and floods of tears, Tinā delivers an uplifting cinematic experience, with rave reviews—and the numbers—testament to that. This little local film has outsold massive Hollywood blockbuster franchises, including Captain America, Snow White, and Bridget Jones.
View the trailer here – https://wabi-sabimediagroup.com/
Tinā is the first feature film from The Brown Factory, led by Miki Magasiva, in partnership with Wabi Sabi, led by Dan Higgins, but it’s far from the first successful collaboration between the two.
Says Higgins: “Miki and I have worked together for more than fifteen years in advertising, so it was only natural to come together to craft this incredible film. Miki’s talent for getting the best out of actors and non-actors is fully displayed in this beautiful story.”
Says Magasiva (pictured above): “Higgsie and I have been working on Tinā together for more than six years, and he’s been the safest pair of hands to turn every ‘that’s impossible’ into a ‘yes’, allowing me to focus on my craft.”
“It’s funny because, no one believed these two advertising guys could even make a film, let alone a successful one. I’m so thankful to have had Dan there believing in the creative and doing everything he could to make it a reality. We didn’t do too badly in the end.”
Tinā has also received international acclaim – opening and closing many festivals including the Hawaii International Film Festival and winning the Narrative Audience award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Higgins and Magasiva are excited to release the film in Australia on May 1st, 2025. Premiere screenings in April quickly sold out across the main centres, and extra showings were added.
Says Higgins: “I think 2025 is going to be a huge year for Miki. Not only is Hollywood already knocking on his door for further film projects, but his skill and experience in international commercial work is going to be in high demand.
“Trends come and go but advertising, at its best, brings brands to life with real storytelling – and Miki is one of those rare directors who humanises brands and products with his creative intuition, deft character direction and considerable heart”.
To see more of Miki’s work – https://wabi-sabimediagroup.com/miki-magasiva
For all enquiries, feel free to hit up Dan Higgins | +64 21 827 949 dan@wabi-sabimediagroup.com
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