PETONE GETS THE GIGGLES WITH WEEKEND LAUGHS
Weekend Laughs
Brought to you by LT McGuinness Ltd and Laughs on Tour
Weekend Laughs brings some of Aotearoa’s biggest comedy names and best up-and-coming talent to the heart of Petone, taking over Abandoned Taproom for three weekends of laughter from 20 February – 7 March.
Kicking off the first weekend of comedy on 21 and 22 February is MC Justine Smith, one of New Zealand’s greatest stand up comedians. Justine is much-loved from her stints on 7 Days and Taskmaster. She hosted the Best Foods Comedy Gala in 2021, won the Billy T Award in 2003 and has won the NZ Comedy Guild’s Best Female Comedian four times. Headlining the weekend is a man who needs no introduction, Jeremy Corbett, a seasoned comedian and a familiar face from TV as host of 7 Days.
Joining them on 21 February is award winning comedian and freshly minted Brit Sully O’Sullivan, returning from the UK to bring the laughs. Alongside him are 2025 Wellington Raw Comedy Quest finalists Elliott Lam and Katy Borrows. On the 22 February Justine and Jeremy will be joined by Ralph Hilaga, another hilariously funny 2025 Wellington Raw finalist, and Guanny Liu-Prosee, a mum, teacher and comedian.
On 27 and 28 February, catch MC Jack Ansett, 2025 star of Taskmaster, which saw him take out Best Comedy Performance on TV at the Comedy Guild Awards. Jack’s also a familiar face from the likes of Guy Montgomery's Guy-Mont Spelling Bee, Best Foods Comedy Gala, and 7 Days. Headlining the weekend is James Nokise. Making audiences laugh for more than 20 years, he’s won the 2024 Topp Prize and 2019 Fred Award and is known for his fearless approach and his ability to give a voice to underrepresented communities.
Closing out three weekends of stand out stand up on 6 and 7 March is MC Ben Hurley. With an impressive career spanning more than 20 years, he’s a favourite across the country, and has regularly appeared on the likes of 7 Days, Seven Sharp and more. Joining him is multi award winner Hoani Hotene (2025 Billy T Award winner, 2022 Raw Comedy Quest winner, Breakthrough Act - Upper North Island at 2025 Comedy Guild Awards), and 2026 Billy T nominee Kipling DC, the self proclaimed ‘Big Dog’ of Wellington comedy.
The laughs don’t stop there, with more acts still to be announced.
This event was made possible with support from LT McGuinness Ltd, Kiwi Gaming Foundation, Hutt Mana Trust, and the Creative Communities scheme.
Weekend Laughs
Fri 20th & Sat 21st February
Fri 27th & Sat 28th February
Fri 6th & Sat 7th March
Abandoned Taproom, Petone
Ticket link