Comedians announced for Best Foods Comedy Gala!

We’ve got our first four acts ready and rearing to go when the Gala hits Auckland and Wellington this September. Gala host Rhys Mathewson leads the lineup, joined by Tofiga Fepulea'i, Justine Smith and Chris Parker.  There’s still loads more cracking talent to come, for what is shaping up to be one heck of a show! Check out all the deets below

Rhys Mathewson has won The Fred Award for the Best NZ show at Comedy Fest, taken out the Billy T Award, is a regular on 7 Days, and has just been announced for Dancing with the Stars! He made his first Comedy Fest appearance back in 2006 at age 15, as part of the New Zealand Comedy Trust's Class Comedians high school programme. Three years later he was crowned the youngest ever Billy T Award winner at just 19 years old, and has now racked up over 10 Comedy Fest shows. His high energy and sharp observations make him the perfect comedian to take the audience on an epic live comedy experience leading this incredible lineup.

Now let’s hear it for NZ’s self-proclaimed humble king of comedy – Tofiga Fepulea’i! Tofiga has graced screens and stages across Aotearoa, and around the world, with his unique brand of Pacific Island-style comedy, both as a solo act and as part of the legendary Laughing Samoans. The biggest-selling act at last year’s Comedy Fest, he brought down the house in massive rooms across NZ. Come watch him do it again at the Best Foods Comedy Gala this September.

Justine Smith smashed the hosting role last year, so we’ve got her back to slay the Gala stage. One of NZ’s queens of comedy, Justine has been named the Best Female Comedian three times! She’s a regular on 7 Days and The Project, and an all-round comedy legend. Her razor-sharp wit and biting commentary will have you in stitches.

If you’re not already a massive fan of Chris Parker – where have you been hiding? From felting on Instagram to his hilarious all-to-real impressions, Chris had us laughing through the lockdowns… and then he won Celebrity Treasure Island! Seriously, Chris has practically taken over screens large and small, and you now can see this Fred Award winner in the flesh this September. 

Phew, what a star-studded lineup! AND we've got even more incredible talent to announce over the coming months, for what is shaping up to be one stellar night of live comedy. But why wait? Book your seats now before they’re all gone!

Click here for the Best Foods Comedy Gala Auckland

Click here for the Best Foods Comedy Gala Wellington