NZ International Comedy Festival

04/06/2026

Shout out Manurewa! 🔥

Joe Daymond at 2026 Comedy Mixtape.

01/06/2026

25/05/2026

“We like to call this little ditty ‘Pukana and Pearls’.” Dilly (Lynda Topp) and Prue (Jools Topp) sing the audience out at the 2020 Best Foods Christmas Comedy Gala.

Moe mai rā e te rangatira

25/05/2026

We are mourning groundbreaking comedy icon, Dame Jools Topp, who died on Saturday 23 May, surrounded by her family and her pets.

Jools, alongside her sister Lynda, set the tone for New Zealand comedy with their fiercely independent, naturally inclusive, always egalitarian humour. With their untouchable duo The Topp Twins, they expanded the idea of what comedy is, who it’s for and where it belongs, giving us all creative permission, and the confidence to believe in ourselves. From their earliest performances, the twins’ policy has been, in their words, ‘amuse, but never abuse’. As far as Jools and Lynda were concerned, the audience was the star of the show.

This is a profound loss for our comedy whānau, as the Topp Twins’ DNA runs deeply throughout the NZ International Comedy Festival. They were there at the very start, and their legacy continues as namesakes of the Topp Prize.

New Zealand’s extraordinary contemporary comedy scene owes an enormous amount to Jools and Lynda’s trailblazing advocacy, boundless creativity and unadulterated love of Aotearoa. We are so lucky.

The NZ Comedy Trust sends our deepest condolences to Lynda, to longtime producer and friend Arani Cuthbert, and to everyone who loved, worked with, cared for and has been inspired by Jools.

Moe mai rā e te rangatira.
Kua whetūrangitia koe. ✨

Images:
Dilly (Lynda) and Prue (Jools) at the 2020 Best Foods Comedy Gala. Photography by Kate Little.
Jools and Lynda with inaugural Topp Prize winner, Chris Parker (2022). Photography by Jinki Cambronero.
Jools and Lynda photographed by Shirley Grace for their album ‘The Very Best of the Topp Twins’

24/05/2026

Massive congratulations to our very special winners at the final night of the 2026 NZ International Comedy Festival 💛🏆✨

2026 Fred Award –David Correos
2026 Billy T Award – Joel Vinsen

What an incredible way to close out this year’s Festival. Thank you to every artist, audience member, crew member and comedy fan who made the past few weeks so unforgettable 💫

And a huge shout out to our brilliant host Guy Montgomery, an epic headline set from Two Hearts, and all of this year’s nominees for making Last Laughs: Awards Gala 2026 such a special night ❤️

Until next year!

📸

23/05/2026

The genuine concern for is so real 🥲

22/05/2026

The wait is over The 2026 Fred Award finalists are here! 💥

🌟 David Correos – Touching My Active Mind
🌟 Bubbah – Lonly Fans
🌟 Melanie Bracewell – Dilly Dallying

These comedy powerhouses are going head to head for the prestigious Fred Award at Last Laughs: Awards Gala TOMORROW NIGHT.

Get ready for one epic night hosted by the one and only Guy Montgomery. Featuring the Fred finalists, the Billy T Award nominees AND a headline set from Two Hearts!

📍 SkyCity Theatre
🗓️ Sun 24 May 7PM

21/05/2026

Before the laughs begin at Last Laughs: Awards Gala, join us in celebrating the man behind one of Aotearoa’s most enduring comedy legacies.

2026 marks 20 years of the Fred Award, presented each year to the best New Zealand show in the New Zealand International Comedy Festival.

To celebrate, we’re screening Lorin Clarke’s award-winning documentary about her father ahead of Last Laughs on Sunday 24 May at

🎟️ Buy tickets to both the documentary and Last Laughs on iTICKET and automatically receive $10 off your order when both events are added to your cart.

Not Only Fred Dagg But John Clark
🗓️ 24 May
📍 The Capitol Cinema
⏰ 1pm

Last Laughs: Awards Gala - Hosted by Guy Montgomery
🗓️ 24 May
📍 SkyCity Theatre
⏰ 7pm

🎟️ comedyfestival.co.nz

20/05/2026

ONE NIGHT. ONE STAGE. THE BIGGEST NIGHT OF THE FESTIVAL. 🏆

Join us for Last Laughs: Awards Gala – the spectacular finale of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival!

Hosted by Guy Montgomery, this unforgettable night brings together the Festival’s biggest stars, surprise performances, and the live presentation of the prestigious Billy T Award and Fred Award.

See all five Billy T nominees – Henry Yan, Joel Vinsen, Kipling DC, Opeti Vaka, and Samantha Hannah – plus the three Fred Award finalists, revealed just 48 hours before the show.

While the judges deliberate, enjoy a special performance from Two Hearts before the winners are announced live on stage.

📍 SkyCity Theatre
📅 Sunday 24 May
🕖 7:00 PM

This is your final chance to experience the energy, excitement, and unforgettable moments that make the Festival so special.

🎟️ Get your tickets now at comedyfestival.co.nz

20/05/2026

Can Billy T Nominee Samantha Hannah guess the new Best Foods Dressing Range?

Catch her show ‘PEEKABOO!’ In Auckland THIS WEEK (20-23 May) before our Last Laughs: Awards Gala 🤩

Get your tickets at comedyfestival.co.nz or link in bio! 🎟️