NZ COMEDY AWARDS TOP HONOURS FOR THE FUNNIEST PEOPLE IN AOTEAROA THIS YEAR!
A packed Classic Comedy Bar on Auckland’s Queen St saw the 2016 New Zealand Comedy Guild Awards last night, and it
proved to be a belter of a show. With nominees and winners across a broad range of categories from Best Gag of the Year
to Best MC, the night was a brilliant cap off to the year for a growing and ever more inclusive industry.
Hosted by last years winner of Best MC, Justine Smith, and ably assisted by Rhys Matthewson, it was a hilarious and
slick show with plenty of in jokes tailored to the crowd of comedians.
The 2016 Guildies saw the inclusion of a new award “The Ewie”, named in honor of Kiwi comedy legend Ewen Gilmour. Given
as a Lifetime Achievement Award, the inaugural winner was fittingly Ewen himself. Much missed by his comedy whanau, the
award was presented by his manager and long time friend Hilary Coe and collected by his brother Lyal and mother Janet.
The awards were attended by comedians, friends and family such as Rhys Darby (Hunt For the Wilder People, Flight of the
Conchords), Jacinda Ardern (Labour Spokesperson for Arts Culture and Heritage) and Laura Daniel (Funny Girls, Jono & Ben).
Chair of the NZ Comedy Guild Debs McSmith said “It was such a great event and showed how far we have developed as an
industry. It was particularly special to recognise Scott Blanks, owner of the Classic and regarded as the Godfather of
New Zealand Comedy, with the NZ Comedy Guild Medal for his commitment, drive, and dedication to comedy for more than 20
years”
The awards are voted for by members of the Comedy Guild and a panel of industry judges. The annual awards have been
celebrating the achievements of the comedy industry since 2001.
The event was generously sponsored by Karma Cola, Omny Studio and Bigpipe Broadband. Their investment ensured this was
the best ceremony in many years.
The full list of winners is:
NZ Comedy Guild Awards 2016 - Winners
Outstanding Contribution to the Comedy Industry
Vaughan King
The Green Roomer
Paul Douglas “The Classic” Best Comedy Venue
VKs Best International Guest
Rich Wilson Comic Originality
Jesse Griffin Best Comedy Writer – Live Performance
Rhys Mathewson Best Improv
Snort Best Live Show
Rhys Mathewson – Nouveau Rhys Best Newcomer
Ray O’Leary Breakthrough Comic of the Year
Patch Lambert Best MC
Justine Smith Best Male Comedian
Ben Hurley Best Female Comedian
Urzila Carlson Gag of the Year
Pax Assadi Andrew Kovacevich Memorial Cup for Most Offensive Gag
Brendhan Lovegrove Kevin Smith Award for International Achievement
Sam Wills / Tape Face Best Comedy Writing for Film or TV
Taika Waititi – Hunt for the Wilderpeople Best Comedy TV Performance
Brendhan Lovegrove – Flick Electric Co Comedy Gala Best Comedy TV Series or Event
7 Days Best Comedy Web or Radio series, Podcast
Tim Batt & Guy Montgomery – Worst Idea of All Time Best Comedy Twitterer
Melanie Bracewell - @meladoodle Best Comedy Blog / Column
Raybon Kan Best Online Comedy Presence
Frickin’ Dangerous Bro The ‘Ewie’ Award for Lifetime Achievement
Ewen Gilmour