New Zealand International Comedy Festival

Each year the Festival features over 200 shows and involves around 250 performers.

Similarly, the Festival caters for a wide range of audiences with specific shows aimed at children and teenagers, and a diverse offering of comedy fare.

Past hosts of the gala have included: Jeff Green, Ardal O'Hanlon, Arj Barker, Wayne Brady, Ed Byrne, Bill Bailey, Rove McManus, Greg Behrendt, Jeremy Corbett, Jason Byrne and Rhys Nicholson.

This is an initiative set up to train talented high school students in the art of stand-up comedy and ends with a showcase at Q Theatre.

The RAW rookie competition is also held every year, with the national finals at The Classic Comedy and Bar in Auckland.