Announcing the 2026 NZICF Awards Winners

At Last Laughs! Awards Gala last night, the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo honoured the outstanding talent from this year's Comedy Fest programme, rewarding Aotearoa comedy excellence with the New Zealand Comedy Trust awards: The Fred Award for Best New Zealand Show and the Billy T Award and more.

Five amazing comedians with incredible potential were in the running for the most prestigious prize for emerging New Zealand comedians - The Billy T Award.

This year's nominees were: Henry Yan, Joel Vinsen, Kipling DC, Opeti Vaka and Samantha Hannah.

Joel Vinsen took home the prestigious Yellow Towel for the 2026 Billy T Award and a $5,000 cash grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust.

The Fred Award is one of the highest commendations in Aotearoa comedy, awarded to the Best New Zealand Show in the 2026 NZ International Comedy Festival.

This year's nominees were: Bubbah (Lonly Fans), David Correos (Touching my Active Mind), Melanie Bracewell (Dilly Dallying)

David Correos was announced as the 2026 Fred Award winner and received the iconic Golden Gumboot and a cash grant of $5,000 from the New Zealand Comedy Trust.