FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR COMEDY FEST’S FRED AWARD FOR BEST NEW ZEALAND SHOW 2026

The final, and most anticipated, night of the 2026 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo takes place tomorrow night with the Last Laughs Awards Gala, hosted by Guy Montgomery. As part of the celebrations, the NZ Comedy Trust is thrilled to announce the three finalists for this year’s coveted Fred Award.
 
2026 marks the 20th anniversary of The Fred Award, with guests encouraged to dress in “Gumboot Glam”. Named in honour of the late comedy icon John Clarke’s legendary Kiwi character Fred Dagg, The Fred Award was introduced in 2006 and recognises the Comedy Festival's Best Show by a New Zealand comedian. Selected each year by a panel of expert judges, the Fred remains one of the highest commendations in Aotearoa’s comedy industry.
 
The Fred Award finalists for 2026 are:

This year’s finalists reflect the extraordinary comedic talent on offer, with three distinctive voices who are helping shape what comedy is in Aotearoa. Melanie Bracewell returns as a Fred Award finalist for the second year in a row, with David Correos previously being nominated in 2021, while 2026 marks the first nomination for Bubbah.

Previous Fred Award winners have included Rose Matafeo, Guy Montgomery, Dai Henwood, James Nokise, Chris Parker, Rhys Darby and the 2025 reigning winner Angella Dravid with her show I’m Happy For You. See a full list of past winners here.
 
“New Zealand comedy is thriving, so it’s a minor miracle that our Fred Award jury was able to narrow their choice down to just three”, says NZ International Comedy Festival Producer Jay Law. “ Comedy isn’t only what happens on stage – it’s the writing, the community, the generosity, the connection, and the constant grind behind the scenes. Bubbah, Mel and David are each pushing the art form forward in incredibly different, but complementary, ways. This trio exemplifies the depth and variety coming through Aotearoa comedy right now: the standard is sky-high, and the work is ambitious and consistent. It’s a reminder that our comedians are up there with the best in the world and that this kind of entertainment matters, to comedians as much as to the wider community.”
 
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Fred Award, John Clarke’s daughter, filmmaker Lorin Clarke, is attending Last Laughs Awards Gala as a special guest, following a special screening tomorrow of her film Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke at The Capitol Cinema at 1PM, with a Q&A conducted by comedian Oscar Kightley.
 
The Fred Award winner will receive a $5,000 cash grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust, producers of the Festival. The Trust’s vision and purpose is to champion the craft of comedy so everyone can share a laugh.
 
Head along to the final show of the Festival tomorrow, Last Laughs Awards Gala from 7PM at SkyCity Theatre, and celebrate the very best comedy of 2026. Catch performances from the Fred Award finalists, alongside the 2026 Billy T Award nominees, Opeti Vaka,Samantha Hannah, Henry Yan, Kipling DC and Joel, Vinsen, as well as headline act Two Hearts (Joseph Moore and Laura Daniel). Plus, see who will be honoured with the prestigious Billy T Award Yellow Towel and The Fred Award’s Golden Gumboot!
 

LAST LAUGHS AWARDS GALA
Sunday 24 May, 7PM
SkyCity Theatre
Cnr Wellesley Street West & Hobson Street
Tickets

Michelle Lafferty