LAUGHS FOR DAYS: COMEDIANS ANNOUNCED FOR NZ COMEDY FEST AUCKLAND SHOWCASES

The New Zealand Comedy Trust is thrilled to announce the comedians joining the Tāmaki Makaurau Preview Show, B**** Better Have My Funny, Joe Daymond’s Comedy Mixtape and Best Comedy Show On Earth in Auckland, as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo. These Trust presented showcases offer the chance to see the very best local and international comedy favourites, rising stars and big names, all on one bill. The Comedy Festival also presents the world premiere of Stamptown 4 Kidz, a silly, chaotic and high-energy family variety spectacular.
 
With hundreds of shows to choose from in this year’s programme, these signature events are the perfect way to get right into the festival spirit. The line-ups are stacked and packed with comedy gold, offering something for everyone.
 
Get a sneak peek of what’s in this year’s programme with the Tāmaki Makaurau Preview Show, on 29 April at Basement Theatre. Hosted by 2025 Billy T Award winner Hoani Hotene, he’ll be joined by a huge line-up of local acts, including 2026 Billy T nominee Joel Vinsen, Raw National Comedy Quest finalist Annie Guo and Fred Award winner Barnie Duncan alongside actor Ella Hope-Higginson (The Power of the Dog). Also in the lineup are Liv McKenzie (7 Days, Have You Been Paying Attention?), Best Female Comedian nominee at Comedy Guild Awards Renee Church, Anthony Crum (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) and 2024 Best Newcomer winner Courtney Dawson.
 
B**** Better Have My Funny, a line-up show created to celebrate the brilliance of women and non-binary comedians, returns for the second year on 15 May at Q Theatre. Hosted by the brilliantly funny Justine Smith (Taskmaster and 7 Days), the NZ Comedy Trust is continuing its Equity Ticket price to B**** Better Have My Funny established last year, for anyone affected by the pay equity bill, set at 23% off to reflect the global pay gap.

The international artists joining Justine are last year’s Best International joint-winner Elouise Eftos direct from Australia, award-winning UK performer Elf Lyons, and award-winning UK comedian Robyn Reynolds. Locals on the bill are 2025 Billy T nominee Booth the Clown, Donna Brookbanks (Madam), 2025 Director’s Choice Award winner Johanna Cosgrove and Courtney Dawson (Celebrity Treasure Island).
 
Hosted and curated by Joe Daymond, online funnyman, creator and star of Comedy Central’s BOUNCERS, Comedy Mixtape is back on 16 May at Q Theatre. A high-energy stand-up showcase built like a perfect set list: comedians you already rate, comedians you’re about to start recommending, and a few moments that remind you why live comedy is undefeated. Joining Joe as co-host is Mai FM DJ Randy Sjafrie, alongside Richie Fa’avesi, delivering raw, honest comedy rooted in culture, faith, family, and real-life experience, Tesi Naufahu, a former politician, wannabe content creator and comedian, and Fa'afafine writer, artist and comedian JonJon Tolovae. Plus even more still to be announced.
 
Crowd favourite, Best Comedy Show On Earth, is back for another night of handpicked hilarity, on 17 May at SkyCity Theatre. Offering up 100s of jokes and 1000s of laughs, the evening is hosted by Jack Tucker, the high-energy, absurdist, standup alter-ego of Zach Zucker, direct from New York for the very first time. Also making their Aotearoa debuts at this year’s fest, and joining Best Comedy Show On Earth, are Australian writer and comedian Sashi Perera and US comic Benny Feldman, who was included in Vulture’s best comedy moments of 2023. Local legends, the multi-award winning David Correos (Taskmaster) and internationally acclaimed comedy circus trio Laser Kiwi (Penn & Teller: Fool Us) join the line-up, alongside Annie Guo, Raw National Comedy Quest finalist Evie Orpe and 2025 Best Newcomer winner Sean Collier. With more names still to be announced.
 
The NZ International Comedy Festival is also thrilled to present the first ever Stamptown 4 Kidz, created especially for the festival. Think the chaotic, absurd, high-energy, variety spectacular of New York cult hit Stamptown (Netflix is a Joke), but remixed for families. It’s all the wow, silliness and theatrical mayhem, with the edges safely rounded. The kids get the visual gags and wild moments. The grown-ups get the sly little layers. Like a Disney movie… if Disney had a slightly unhinged cousin who runs a circus.
 
Packed with big laughs, bold surprises, and the kind of anarchic showmanship that makes kids go “WHAT?!” and adults go “WAIT… was that for me?” (Yes. Yes it was.) Stamptown 4 Kidz is hosted by Stamptown’s own Zach Zucker, on 16 May at Q Theatre.
 
Laugh the month away this May!

The 2026 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo runs from 1 – 24 May.

www.comedyfestival.co.nz

TĀMAKI MAKAURAU PREVIEW SHOW
Wednesday 29 April, 7PM
Basement Theatre
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B***** BETTER HAVE MY FUNNY
Friday 15 May, 6PM
Q Theatre, Rangatira
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STAMPTOWN 4 KIDS
Saturday 16 May, 3PM
Q Theatre
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JOE DAYMOND'S COMEDY MIXTAPE
Saturday 16 May, 6PM
Q Theatre, Rangatira
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BEST COMEDY SHOW ON EARTH
Sunday 17 May
SKYCITY Theatre
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