NZ International Comedy Festival takes laughter to the streets in new campaign via Augusto
The 2026 NZ International Comedy Festival is here – and this year, Auckland-based agency Augusto is helping take it beyond the venues, bringing stand-up and sketch onto the streets of Auckland and Wellington.
Framed by a broader programme of city events, the Comedy Festival promises smart, irreverent comedy across awesome venues. No muddy fields, no camping disasters, no portable toilets. Just great laughs and great spaces.
In a festival-meets-festi aesthetic, the posters created by Augusto, spotlight the comedians and riff on the differences between comedy and music festivals, while announcing the new partnership with Iconic Beverage Co.
Says NZICF interim Executive Director Gemma Gracewood: “Augusto are as passionate about comedy as we are. This joyful OOH campaign seamlessly blends the Festival hero art of Anns Taylor with Augusto’s own creative and punchline smarts, bringing Comedy Fest into our everyday lives. In doing so, it achieves the New Zealand Comedy Trust’s vision of championing the craft of comedy so everyone can share a laugh. And as a charitable trust, we’re so grateful to have the UFO Rodeo team recognise the importance of our kaupapa.”
Says Leon Kirkbeck, Founder of UFO Rodeo: “I started my career in the arts working at the very first NZ Comedy Fest, so I’ve always had a strong connection to the industry. I’m a big advocate for New Zealand comedy, here and internationally, so it only feels right to be backing the Comedy Festival and helping get more people in the room.”
Building on the campaign’s momentum and the natural overlap of NZ International Comedy Festival and New Zealand Music Month, Augusto has also partnered on a one-night-only live event in Wellington, bringing together comedy and music at Wellington’s Opera House on Sunday 17 May.
Co-headlined by Tofiga Fepulea’i and Tami Neilson and hosted by James Nokise alongside house band The Funkadelics, the night will feature a lineup of comedians, musicians and surprise guests.
All profits from the event will be donated to the Mayoral Flood Relief Fund, supporting those impacted by the recent flooding in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
Find out more at the NZ International Comedy Festival and view event details for Pōneke House Party here.
Details:
Pōneke House Party
Sunday 17 May, 6pm
Wellington Opera House
Tickets via the NZ International Comedy Festival website.
Client: 2026 NZ International Comedy Festival
Executive Director (Interim): Gemma Gracewood
General Director: Rae Baker
Marketing & Partnerships Lead: Jacqui Davis
Festival Producer: Jay Law
Festival Content Assistant: Max Crean
Marketing and Content Coordinator: Andy Hoskins
Ticketing & Partner Services Manager: Keri Roberts
Agency: Augusto
General Manager: Caroline Logan
Senior Account Manager: Cara Sheehan
Art Director: Nick Skelton-Kyd
Copywriter: Sasha Arandelovic
Design: James Davison
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