Latest news with #BestFoodsMayo
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Billy T And Fred Award Winners Announced For The 2025 NZ International Comedy Fest
Press Release – Elephant Publicity After a month of side-splitting shows from the very best local and international comedians, the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo wrapped up this evening at Last Laughs. After the performances, the New Zealand Comedy Trust honoured the brightest comedy talent of this year's festival with multiple awards, including the coveted 2025 Fred Award for the Best New Zealand Show in the Festival and the 2025 Billy T Award for a comedian with the most outstanding potential. Last Laughs, a showcase of the best of the best homegrown talent, was hosted by 2021 Fred Award winner Eli Matthewson, with performances from Fred Award finalists – Abby Howells, Angella Dravid, Melanie Bracewell, and the 2025 Billy T Award nominees, David Stuart, Hoani Hotene, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom. Started in 1997 and inspired by comedy legend William James Te Wehi Taitoko MBE (Billy T James), The Billy T Award celebrates the growth of fresh talent in the Aotearoa comedy industry. Each year it is awarded to an outstanding emerging performer with a commitment to their comedy career. Hoani Hotene took home the prestigious Yellow Towel for the Billy T Award and a $5,000 cash grant from New Zealand Comedy Trust. The award was presented on stage at SkyCity Theatre by 2024 Billy T Award winner Lana Walters. Named in honour of much-loved comedy icon John Clarke's legendary Kiwi character Fred Dagg, The Fred Award recognises the Comedy Festival's Best Show by a New Zealand comedian. Angella Dravid was named the 2025 Fred Award winner, receiving the iconic Golden Gumboot and a cash grant of $5,000 from the New Zealand Comedy Trust. 2024 Fred Award Winner Barnie Duncan and Chris Parker (standing in as Trygve Wakenshaw) were on stage to hand over the baton to the new Fred recipient. Other award winners this year also include: Best Newcomer (Auckland): Sean Collier with Write-Off Best Newcomer (Wellington – Joint Winners): Mo Munn with Is It Off? and Liv Ward with EPIC WAY! I'm Gay? Oui oui faguette™ I LOVE KIM HILL (1999 version) Festival Director's Choice Award: Johanna Cosgrove with SWEETIE Best International (Joint Winners): Elouise Eftos with Australia's First Attractive Comedian and Rosco McClelland with Sudden Death James Nokise was also honoured in person in front of his peers with his 2024 Topp Prize by New Zealand Comedy Trust Chief Executive, Lauren Whitney.
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Billy T And Fred Award Winners Announced For The 2025 NZ International Comedy Fest
After a month of side-splitting shows from the very best local and international comedians, the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo wrapped up this evening at Last Laughs. After the performances, the New Zealand Comedy Trust honoured the brightest comedy talent of this year's festival with multiple awards, including the coveted 2025 Fred Award for the Best New Zealand Show in the Festival and the 2025 Billy T Award for a comedian with the most outstanding potential. Last Laughs, a showcase of the best of the best homegrown talent, was hosted by 2021 Fred Award winner Eli Matthewson, with performances from Fred Award finalists - Abby Howells, Angella Dravid, Melanie Bracewell, and the 2025 Billy T Award nominees, David Stuart, Hoani Hotene, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom. Started in 1997 and inspired by comedy legend William James Te Wehi Taitoko MBE (Billy T James), The Billy T Award celebrates the growth of fresh talent in the Aotearoa comedy industry. Each year it is awarded to an outstanding emerging performer with a commitment to their comedy career. Hoani Hotene took home the prestigious Yellow Towel for the Billy T Award and a $5,000 cash grant from New Zealand Comedy Trust. The award was presented on stage at SkyCity Theatre by 2024 Billy T Award winner Lana Walters. Named in honour of much-loved comedy icon John Clarke's legendary Kiwi character Fred Dagg, The Fred Award recognises the Comedy Festival's Best Show by a New Zealand comedian. Angella Dravid was named the 2025 Fred Award winner, receiving the iconic Golden Gumboot and a cash grant of $5,000 from the New Zealand Comedy Trust. 2024 Fred Award Winner Barnie Duncan and Chris Parker (standing in as Trygve Wakenshaw) were on stage to hand over the baton to the new Fred recipient. Other award winners this year also include: Best International (Joint Winners): Elouise Eftos with Australia's First Attractive Comedian and Rosco McClelland with Sudden Death James Nokise was also honoured in person in front of his peers with his 2024 Topp Prize by New Zealand Comedy Trust Chief Executive, Lauren Whitney.
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Finalists Announced For 2025 Comedy Fest's Fred Award For Best New Zealand Show
The three finalists for this year's coveted Fred Award have been chosen by a panel of expert judges and will compete at tomorrow's final showcase Last Laughs, hosted by Eli Matthewson. The award will go to the Best New Zealand Show in the 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo and is one of the highest commendations in Aotearoa's comedy industry. 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. Previous winners have included Rose Matafeo, Guy Montgomery, Dai Henwood, James Nokise, Chris Parker, Rhys Darby and the 2024 reigning winners Barnie Duncan & Trygve Wakenshaw with their show Different Party. The standard has been incredibly high across the Festival and the panel had long discussions to create the shortlist of three finalists. The Fred Award finalists for 2025 are: For the first time, all of this year's Fred finalists are women, an exciting milestone that celebrates the creativity and contributions of wāhine across the comedy industry. All three have also previously won the coveted Billy T Award, Angella in 2017, Melanie in 2018 and Abby in 2023. 'This year's Fred Award finalists represent the very best of what comedy in Aotearoa can be, fearless, distinctive, and brilliantly funny. It's a proud moment to see these wāhine, all previous Billy T Award winners, take centre stage in a lineup that's both historic and deeply deserved.' says Lauren Whitney, Chief Executive, New Zealand Comedy Trust. The Fred Award winner will receive a $5,000 cash grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust. The Trust's vision and purpose is to champion the craft of comedy so everyone can share a laugh, and are the producers of the Festival. The final show of the Festival tomorrow, Last Laughs is hosted by 2021 Fred Award winner Eli Matthewson. Head along to celebrate the best of the festival at Last Laughs from 7PM at SKYCITY, and see performances from the Fred Award finalists, alongside the 2025 Billy T Award nominees, David Stuart, Hoani Hotene, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom. Witness who will be honoured with the prestigious Billy T Award Yellow Towel and The Fred Award's Golden Gumboot and the official gifting of the Topp Prize to James Nokise. Making a special appearance as this year's headline act is Tofiga.
Scoop
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
B*tch Better Have My Funny: The Queens Of Comedy Hit The NZ Comedy Fest
Press Release – Elephant Publicity One of NZs greatest stand up comedians, the evening will also feature award-winning comedian Justine Smith. Justine is much-loved from her stints on 7 Days and Taskmaster. The NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo is now in full swing, and the laughs just keep coming. The New Zealand Comedy Trust is thrilled to announce B*TCH Better Have My Funny, a night packed with great comedians, great vibes and a line-up that delivers hit after hit. Join Kiwi comedy legend Michèle A'Court as host on Saturday 17 May at Q Theatre, for this incredible line-up of pure entertainment – fast, funny, and full of energy. Host Michèle A'Court is a 2023 ONZM recipient, and winner of Female Comedian of the Decade at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards in 2010 and the 2015 Reilly Award for Excellence in Comedy. Michele has performed around the world, including in Canada, the UK, Australia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor. With her work on stage, screen and radio, Michèle is truly one of our country's best comedians. She'll be joined by this year's Best Foods Comedy Gala host, Hayley Sproull. Multi-talented comedy sensation, audiences will recognise her as co-host of ZM's Fletch, Vaughan & Hayley Breakfast Show, winner of Taskmaster season 5 and host of The Great Kiwi Bake Off. One of NZ's greatest stand up comedians, the evening will also feature award-winning comedian Justine Smith. Justine is much-loved from her stints on 7 Days and Taskmaster. She also hosted the Best Foods Comedy Gala in 2021, won the Billy T Award in 2003 and has won the NZ Comedy Guild's Best Female Comedian four times. Rounding out the first comedians on the bill is Courtney Dawson, winner of Best Newcomer at the 2024 fest. Since kicking off her comedy career in 2019 she's won the Raw Comedy Quest, starred in Celebrity Treasure Island, Paddy Gower Has Issues and Have You Been Paying Attention?, and hosted the 2024 Comedy Mixtape. The international pay gap is still sitting at 23%. If you're a teacher, nurse, midwife, healthcare worker, caregiver, early childhood, social worker, youth worker, probation officer, corrections psychologist, or anyone else impacted by the Pay Equity Amendment Bill passed under urgency this week, then the New Zealand Comedy Trust are offering 23% off your ticket. With more names still to be announced, come for the punchlines, stay for the party. It's the comedy show you'll be talking about on Sunday. The 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo runs from 2 – 25 May. The full programme is available now at Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
B*tch Better Have My Funny: The Queens Of Comedy Hit The NZ Comedy Fest
The NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo is now in full swing, and the laughs just keep coming. The New Zealand Comedy Trust is thrilled to announce B*TCH Better Have My Funny, a night packed with great comedians, great vibes and a line-up that delivers hit after hit. Join Kiwi comedy legend Michèle A'Court as host on Saturday 17 May at Q Theatre, for this incredible line-up of pure entertainment – fast, funny, and full of energy. Host Michèle A'Court is a 2023 ONZM recipient, and winner of Female Comedian of the Decade at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards in 2010 and the 2015 Reilly Award for Excellence in Comedy. Michele has performed around the world, including in Canada, the UK, Australia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor. With her work on stage, screen and radio, Michèle is truly one of our country's best comedians. She'll be joined by this year's Best Foods Comedy Gala host, Hayley Sproull. Multi-talented comedy sensation, audiences will recognise her as co-host of ZM's Fletch, Vaughan & Hayley Breakfast Show, winner of Taskmaster season 5 and host of The Great Kiwi Bake Off. One of NZ's greatest stand up comedians, the evening will also feature award-winning comedian Justine Smith. Justine is much-loved from her stints on 7 Days and Taskmaster. She also hosted the Best Foods Comedy Gala in 2021, won the Billy T Award in 2003 and has won the NZ Comedy Guild's Best Female Comedian four times. Rounding out the first comedians on the bill is Courtney Dawson, winner of Best Newcomer at the 2024 fest. Since kicking off her comedy career in 2019 she's won the Raw Comedy Quest, starred in Celebrity Treasure Island, Paddy Gower Has Issues and Have You Been Paying Attention?, and hosted the 2024 Comedy Mixtape. The international pay gap is still sitting at 23%. If you're a teacher, nurse, midwife, healthcare worker, caregiver, early childhood, social worker, youth worker, probation officer, corrections psychologist, or anyone else impacted by the Pay Equity Amendment Bill passed under urgency this week, then the New Zealand Comedy Trust are offering 23% off your ticket. With more names still to be announced, come for the punchlines, stay for the party. It's the comedy show you'll be talking about on Sunday. The 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo runs from 2 – 25 May. The full programme is available now at
