The New Zealand Comedy Trust is thrilled to announce the first local and international comedy stars heading to the 2026 Best Foods Comedy Gala: Hayley Sproull, Ray O’Leary and Elouise Eftos (Aus). The biggest night in the comedy calendar, hosted by Dai Henwood ONZM, heads to Auckland on 1 May, Wellington on 2 May and for the first time since 2017, Christchurch on 3 May.

After a sold-out 2025 season, the fastest-selling production in Auckland Theatre Company’s history, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is returning by overwhelming popular demand. Audiences now have a second chance to climb aboard the world’s most infamous train when the hit production returns for a strictly limited season to the ASB Waterfront Theatre from 7 – 22 February 2026.

Tickets are on sale now for this killer season. All aboard – again!

Touch Compass, Aotearoa’s leading disability-led arts organisation, presents ABILITOPIA + WHITE NOISE, a provocative double bill of contemporary dance-theatre across four performances from 26–28 February at Te Pou Theatre.

The New Zealand Comedy Trust is delighted to announce the 2026 Best Foods Comedy Gala is heading to Christchurch for the first time since 2017. Hosted by none other than comedy legend Dai Henwood ONZM, a hand-picked line-up of both international and local comedy heavyweights and rising stars head to the Christchurch Town Hall on Sunday 3 May.

Werewolf, the immersive horror-comedy by Wellington performance renegades Binge Culture, went off at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe and is returning to Aotearoa for a nationwide outbreak in 2026. PANNZ is proud to support this national tour, which includes the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts (25 Feb – 1 Mar, Wellington), Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival (5 – 8 Mar), ONEONESIX (11 – 12 Mar, Whangārei) and Turner Centre (13 Mar, Kerikeri).

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.

Muroki, one of Aotearoa’s most distinctive young voices, returns from Berlin with his debut album Amber Skies, written and recorded as he lived a nomadic lifestyle moving between Berlin’s creative underground, the hills of Raglan, the coastline of Portugal and a long overdue reunion with whānau in Kenya.

Amber Skies is released on 30 January 2026, followed by Muroki’s first national tour in three years, running from 6 February to 28 March. He will also make a solo appearance at Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival, where he joins He Manu Tīoriori, a celebration of waiata reo Māori, on Saturday 21 March.

The New Zealand Comedy Trust is pleased to announce the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Topp Prize: beloved Samoan New Zealand comedian, actor, musician, entertainer and radio host, Tofiga Fepulea’i. Affectionately known as the Humble King of Comedy, Wellington born and raised Tofiga has spent more than two decades on stage and screen bringing laughter and his trademark character-driven storytelling to audiences across Aotearoa and beyond.

The team at Wānaka’s Aspiring Conversations festival of ideas and kōrero is thrilled to unveil the first event of its thoughtfully-curated 2026 programme, with the return of an audience-favourite raconteur on Sunday 29 March.

In early 2026, Scottish comedy superstar Danny Bhoy will return to New Zealand.

The New Zealand Comedy Trust is back with the 2026 Best Foods Comedy Gala, hosted by one of Aotearoa’s most beloved comedy legends, Dai Henwood ONZM. It’s the perfect way to kick off three weeks of jokes, chaos, and comedy gold at the 2026 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo.

A team of young people aged between 15 – 25+ are coming together this summer under the guidance of senior arts leaders, together with emerging artists, to create an interdisciplinary performance exploring ideas, concerns and dreams about their futures. This devised work, Hope: Standing on the Edge – Eying Up Our Future will be on from 24 – 25 January at the Pitt Street Theatre.

Emmy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated performer Eddie Izzard will return to bring her acclaimed one-person performance of The Tragedy of Hamlet to New Zealand in July 2026, following sold-out seasons in the US and UK. Nominated for two drama awards – NY Outer Critics Circle Award: Outstanding Solo Performance and New York Drama League: Distinguished Performance Award.

Five plays. Five worlds. Five unforgettable date nights.  

Silo Theatre has unveiled its 2026 programme, the first season under Artistic Director Sophie Henderson. Five bold, brilliant plays across a myriad of genres deliver a punch to the live arts in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Q Theatre is reaffirming its commitment to local artists with the launch of Round Two of Q Season Support, opening Monday 1 December at 10am for productions from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.