WellingtonEvents
Kiwi comedian, Dai Henwood, looks sharp wearing a dark green suit jacket with embroidered roses and a rooster on a light grey backdrop.

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.”

Explore more