Melanie Bracewell — Dilly Dallying
19 June 2026The Opera House
2 May 2026
The Opera House
15+
There’s no better way to kick off a three-week festival of side-splitting laughs. The Best Foods Comedy Gala heralds the beginning of the NZ International Comedy Festival. For one night in Wellington, national and international comedians from the festival lineup gather to give a taster of their comedy. The fast-paced, ever-changing smorgasbord is hosted by Kiwi comedy legend Dai Henwood. He’ll introduce you to old hands and fresh voices. With every imaginable type of comedy covered, the energy is electric. Best of all, you won’t stop laughing all night.
Dai Henwood has graced the Comedy Gala stage in previous years as a performer. This is his first time hosting. He joins a long line of Kiwi comic royalty in the role, including Hayley Sproull, Chris Parker, Melanie Bracewell, Justine Smith and Pax Assadi. Jay Law, Producer of the NZ International Comedy Festival, said the gala is like Christmas morning for comedy fans. “It’s a night where everyone can come together — artists, producers, audiences, locals, internationals — and celebrate how important comedy is.”
19 June 2026The Opera House
9 April 2026The Opera House | Contains adult themes and strong language
20 February 2026The Opera House
16 April 2026The Opera House
7 February 2026The Opera House
14 – 15 January 2026TSB Arena
13 February – 7 March 2026
6 February 2026Michael Fowler Centre
24 May 2026Michael Fowler Centre
May 2026