Latest news with #Skycity
Scoop
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
The Best Night Of Comedy Is Back With The Best Comedy Show On Earth
New Zealand Comedy Trust & Skycity Presents Best Comedy Show On Earth Hosted by Pax Assadi Experience some of the top acts in this year's NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo at the sensational stand-up showcase, the Best Comedy Show On Earth, presented by the New Zealand Comedy Trust and Skycity. Following a sell out show at last year's fest, join big international and local names, whilst also discovering a few fresh faces for a night of total hilarity on Sunday 18 May at SKYCITY Theatre. Featuring 10 comedians, 100's of jokes, 1000's of laughs, this unforgettable evening of stand out comedy will be hosted by none other than Pax Assadi. Pax has become a household name with his widely acclaimed autobiographical TV show Raised by Refugees on TVNZ. He's hosted 60 Seconds and The Great Kiwi Bake Off, and will also be familiar as part of comedy trio Frickin Dangerous Bro. Crossing the ditch to join Pax on stage is Tom Cashman, the stand up is known as the Taskmaster's Assistant on Taskmaster Australia and for his viral TikTok content, where he's racked up millions of views. He's joined by Kirsty Webeck, Australia's reigning queen of cheerful comedy, returning after a standout set at last year's Best Foods Comedy Gala and Takashi Wakasugi, the Japanese-born, Australia-based comedian seen on Taskmaster Australia, Thank God You're Here, and the Best Foods Comedy Gala. Rounding out the Aussie contingent is Elouise Eftos 'Australia's First Attractive Comedian', and winner of Director's Choice at the 2024 Sydney Comedy Festival. Closer to home, Aotearoa's own comedy stars take the spotlight. Brynley Stent — a 2021 Billy T Award winner and familiar face from Taskmaster NZ, Celebrity Treasure Island, Golden Boy, and Shortland Street — brings her signature chaos and charm. Kajun Brooking, the award-winning Whanganui-based comic known for his quickfire punchlines, just impressed audiences with his high energy set at the Wellington Best Foods Comedy Gala, you may have seen him on Te Karere, The Hui, and TikTok. Kajun joins the lineup alongside Ray O'Leary — fresh from smashing it in Australia — a two-time Billy T nominee known for Taskmaster NZ, Have You Been Paying Attention? and 7 Days. They'll be joined by exciting emerging talents. Michelle Wiley, winner of Best Newcomer at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards and a 2023 RAW Comedy Grand Finalist, brings her sharp wit to the stage. And Ocean Denham, winner of Best Comedy at the 2024 Whangārei Fringe Festival rounds out the lineup. Take a date or your mates; this is Sunday night done right! The 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo runs from 2 – 25 May. The full programme is available now at
South China Morning Post
12-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Skytopia vision doesn't serve Hongkongers' needs
Published: 9:30am, 12 Feb 2025 The Hong Kong Airport Authority's recently unveiled 'Skytopia' mega-project , with its HK$100 billion (US$12.9 billion) price tag and promise of an arts hub, gourmet market and yacht marina, shows that the government is seriously misreading public sentiment. The attraction of affordability and quality is not lost on Hong Kong residents, who are crossing the border to Shenzhen in increasing numbers for shopping, dining and even medical services that are cheap and good. With its Skytopia plan, the government has chosen to ignore these clear preferences. Under the development blueprint, the Chek Lap Kok site will be transformed into an airport city with an arts hub, a 600-berth marina for yachts, the city's largest water recreation area and a gourmet seafood market. It also features the cluster of offices, shops, hotel and entertainment facilities the Airport Authority has named Skycity . The entire project is envisioned to be a landmark in Asia, boasting of tourism, cultural, entertainment and commercial facilities unrivalled by other aviation centres. It can be summed up in two words: 'good' and 'expensive'. Airport Authority acting CEO and chief operating officer Vivian Cheung Kar-fay speaks at the unveiling of its 'Airport City' vision for the Hong Kong International Airport, on January 16. Photo: Jonathan Wong
South China Morning Post
31-01-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Landing ‘Skytopia' in economic turbulence a challenge for Hong Kong airport
Following a bumpy take-off in 1998, Hong Kong International Airport has been consistently rated one of the world's best, and justifiably so. It is now aiming even higher with an ambitious HK$100 billion (US$12.83 billion) makeover to become 'the landmark of Asia', with top tourism, cultural, entertainment and commercial facilities unrivalled by any other aviation centres. Promising as it sounds, the project also is fraught with challenges amid economic headwinds. The current state-of-the-art facility at Lantau was never meant to be just a carousel for passengers and cargo. Strategically built on an artificial island with exhibition and tourism facilities nearby, the southern gateway of modern China is poised to become a stronger economic engine when powered by the right formula for growth and development. With the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic largely receding and the third runway now up and running, the city is consolidating its status as an aviation hub under the country's national development blueprint. According to the 'Skytopia' plan outlined by the Airport Authority, the Chek Lap Kok site will transform into a multifunctional town, featuring an arts hub, a 600-berth marina for yachts, the city's largest water recreation area, a 'jet fresh market' to rival top sellers of produce in the region and a development called Skycity that will host a hotel, offices and commercial activities. Vivian Cheung Kar-fay, acting chief executive and chief operating officer for the Hong Kong Airport Authority, outlines a plan to transform the Chek Lap Kok site into a multifunctional town, featuring an arts hub, marina, water recreation area, a market and a development that will include a hotel and offices. Photo: Jonathan Wong The authority is right in seeking to maximise the full potential of the airport site, capitalising on the city's strengths and natural environment. But the multibillion-dollar blueprint also comes as a difficult sell in light of the current economic downturn and business uncertainty.
