BILLY T AND FRED AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2026 NZ INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FEST
Photo credit: Jinki Cambronero.
To close out three weeks of belly laughs and unforgettable performances from the very best local and international comedians, the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo wrapped up this evening at Last Laughs Awards Gala. The New Zealand Comedy Trust honoured the brightest comedy talent of this year’s festival with multiple awards, including the coveted 2026 Fred Award for the Best New Zealand Show in the Festival and the 2026 Billy T Award for a comedian with the most outstanding potential.
The Last Laughs Awards Gala was hosted by Guy Montgomery (Fred Award winner, Logie winner, and the mastermind behind Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee), with performances from Fred Award finalists - David Correos, Melanie Bracewell and Bubbah, 2026 Billy T Award nominees, Opeti Vaka, Samantha Hannah, Kipling DC, Henry Yan and Joel Vinsen, and headline act Two Hearts.
Started in 1997 and inspired by comedy legend William James Te Wehi Taitoko MBE (Billy T James), The Billy T Award celebrates the growth of fresh talent in the Aotearoa comedy industry. Each year it is awarded to an outstanding emerging performer with a commitment to their comedy career. Joel Vinsen, with his show Renaissance Man, took home the prestigious Yellow Towel for the Billy T Award and a $5,000 cash grant from New Zealand Comedy Trust. The award was presented on stage at SkyCity Theatre by 2025 Billy T Award winner Hoani Hotene.
Named in honour of much-loved comedy icon John Clarke’s legendary Kiwi character Fred Dagg, The Fred Award recognises the Comedy Festival's Best Show by a New Zealand comedian. David Correos was named the 2026 Fred Award winner with his show Touching My Active Mind, receiving the iconic Golden Gumboot and a cash grant of $5,000 from the New Zealand Comedy Trust. 2025 Fred Award winner Angella Dravid was on stage to hand over the baton to the new Fred recipient. 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the Fred Award, to mark the occasion John’s daughter, filmmaker Lorin Clarke, was in attendance on the night.
Other award winners this year also include:
Best Newcomer (Auckland): Sophie Stone with Winz Princess
Best Newcomer (Wellington): Austin Harrison with F^cking Ace
Festival Director’s Choice Award: Elouise Eftos with Aphrodite
Best International (Joint Winners): Hot Department with Amalgamation and Elf Lyons with Swan.
comedyfestival.co.nz
2026 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo