Best Foods Comedy Gala

It’s the best smorgasbord of comedy brilliance in town. The Best Foods Comedy Gala is back for a rip-roaring night of laughter. This unmissable night serves as the curtain-raiser for the 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo. It offers a selection of the many comics that will take to stages around Wellington during the festival. Join hilarious host Hayley Sproull as she introduces the local and international talent. Each comedian will present a taster of what their humour is like.  

The comedians announced so far will ensure your time at The Opera House will be laugh-filled. 2023 Billy T Award winner Abby Howells is joined by fellow kiwis Tape Face and Eli Matthewson. From across the ditch, veteran Australian comedians Felicity Ward and Chopper will be accompanied by He Huang. Her deadpan routines have gone viral since emerging in 2022. Having recently appeared in ‘The Office Australia’, New Zealander Josh Thomson will make an appearance. Also, look out for rising comedy star, Joe Daymond. He’s back home after creating, writing, and starring in ‘Bouncers’ for Comedy Central UK.

Proceeds raised from the Best Foods Comedy Gala support the New Zealand Comedy Trust. The trust empowers the next generation of comedy talent through year-round development initiatives. The 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo runs three weeks from 2 to 25 May 2025.