The capital’s premier open mic comedy competition, the Wellington Raw Comedy Quest, returns for another year. A stepping stone for many local comedians, the Raw Comedy Quest offers the chance to witness the freshest and funniest local talent before they become household names. The first heat kicks off the competition on 2 July at Fringe Bar, MCd by award winning comic Mike Fowler.
Subsequent heats will follow every Thursday from 9 July – 6 August at Fringe Bar, with a host of incredible local Pōneke comedy talent MCing. The top comedians from each week will go head to head at the semifinals on 21 & 28 August, before the Wellington final takes place on 5 September at Hannah Playhouse, with MC Justine Smith (Taskmaster).
To enter the Wellington Raw Comedy Quest all you need is 6 minutes of original material, and the guts to give it a go. To enter, just contact contact@humorous.co.nz
The 2025 Wellington Raw Comedy Quest was won by Lydia Sainsbury, who went on to be the National Raw runner up, and win Best Newcomer – Lower North Island at the Comedy Guild Awards. Other recent Pōneke Quest winners include 2025 Billy T Award winner Hoani Hotene, 2025 Best Newcomer at the NZICF Liv Ward, and past Billy T Award nominees Janaye Henry, Maria Williams and Gabby Anderson.
The Wellington Raw Comedy Quest is held annually by the Humorous Arts Trust, who have been running Wellington Raw for more than 15 years. “Some of the biggest names in New Zealand comedy have come through the Raw Quest and I can’t wait to see what incredible rising comedy stars join the Quest this year.” says Humorous Arts Trust co-founder and comedian Jerome Chandrahasen.
The Wellington winner and runner up are flown to Auckland to compete in the National Raw Comedy Quest final at The Classic later this year.
Wellington Raw Comedy Quest is sponsored by Cover Yours Ltd and is supported by the Wellington City Council.
WELLINGTON RAW COMEDY QUEST
Heats – Fringe Bar
Thursday 2nd July – MC Mike Fowler
Thursday 9th July – MC Kipling DC
Thursday 16th July – MC Lily Catastrophe
Thursday 23rd July – MC Joana Joy
Thursday 30th July – MC Keegan Thomas
Thursday 6th August – MCs Ginge and Minge (Nina Hogg and Megan Connolly)
Tickets
Semifinals – Fringe Bar
Friday 21 August – MC Brendon Green
Friday 28 August – MC Neil Thornton
Tickets
Final – Hannah Playhouse
Saturday 5 September – MC Justine Smith
Tickets