2026 BEST FOODS COMEDY GALA ADDS MORE BIG NAMES

The New Zealand Comedy Trust & Best Foods Mayo present
Best Foods Comedy Gala
Hosted by Dai Henwood
 
The New Zealand Comedy Trust is stoked to announce the latest line-up drop for the 2026 Best Foods Comedy Gala: Felicity Ward (Aus), Guy Williams, Ivan Aristeguieta (Aus & Venezuela), Angella Dravid, Hoani Hotene and Jessie Nixon (UK). The biggest night in Aotearoa comedy, hosted by Dai Henwood ONZM, heads to Auckland on 1 May, Wellington on 2 May and makes a long-awaited return to Christchurch on 3 May.
 
These local and international comedy heavyweights join the already announced Hayley Sproull, Ray O’Leary, and Elouise Eftos (Aus), guaranteeing a side-splitting night out for audiences.
 
Star of The Office Australia, Felicity Ward returns to the Gala stage. Known for her iconic screen roles, TV appearances and her international multi-award winning stand-up comedy tours, Felicity’s no-filter, authentic and hilarious attitude to life has made her a darling of critics and fans alike. Audiences may also recognise her from Taika Waititi's Time Bandits, Thank God You're Here, Spicks and Specks and most recently as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars Aus.
 
Easily one of New Zealand’s most prolific local comics, Guy Williams, joins the line-up with his famous Kiwi humour that’s given rise to a career in television after earning him the prestigious Billy T Award in 2012. Guy was a contestant on the first season of Taskmaster NZ, and is known for his antics as co-host on Jono and Ben, presenting on The Edge radio station, and his popular TV show and podcast New Zealand Today, and its 2025 spin-off New Zealand Tomorrow.
 
South America's own Ivan Aristeguieta has become one of Australia's biggest comedy stars, and now he's finally heading back to NZ! Known for his cheerful disposition, sharp observational humour, and unique perspective on life as an immigrant down under, Ivan won Best Comedy at the Adelaide Fringe in 2017, 2022 and 2023, and was nominated for Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2021. He’s a regular on Aussie panel shows including Thank God You're Here, Have You Been Paying Attention? and Big Backyard Quiz.
 
Fresh from her Fred Award win in 2025, Angella Dravid brings her deadpan delivery and dark humour to the Comedy Gala. One of the most unique comedy voices in New Zealand, she previously won the Billy T Award in 2017, appeared on Taskmaster NZ, Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont-Spelling Bee and Jono and Ben, and starred in Under the Vines, Golden Boy and Creamerie.
 
2025 was the biggest year yet for Hoani Hotene (Ngāti Hauā), as he took out the NZ Comedy Trust’s coveted Billy T Award, as well as Breakthrough Act - Upper North Island at the Comedy Guild Awards, now 2026 is set to get even bigger as he makes his Gala debut. With a slew of other awards under his belt, including NZ Raw Comedy Quest winner in 2022, he has performed across Australia, Aotearoa and Edinburgh, with his comedy offering a fresh perspective on te reo Māori, travel, and modern life.
 
Performing in Aotearoa and at the Comedy Gala for the first time is Jessie Nixon, a fast-rising Bristolian comedian with a magnetic stage presence, razor-sharp writing, and a brilliantly offbeat charm. She has supported Fern Brady, Lou Sanders, Helen Bauer and Kate Butch on tour and her five-star, award-winning 2025 Edinburgh Fringe show and Best Show win at Manchester’s Women in Comedy festival, cemented her status as one of the most exciting new voices in UK comedy.

Even more amazing acts to be announced later this month. The Best Foods Comedy Gala in Auckland is filmed exclusively for THREE.

The 2026 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo runs from 1 – 24 May, with the full programme to be announced in March 2026.

www.comedyfestival.co.nz

BEST FOODS COMEDY GALA

AUCKLAND
Friday 1 May
Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre
50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland Central
Book Now

WELLINGTON
Saturday 2 May
The Opera House
113/111 Manners Street, Te Aro, Wellington Central
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CHRISTCHURCH
Sunday 3 May
Christchurch Town Hall
86 Kilmore Street
Book Now