The Fred Award is the highest honour at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, awarded to the best show written and performed by a New Zealand comedian.
The award is named in honour of New Zealand comedian John Clarke's most well-known character, Fred Dagg. Dagg was one of New Zealand's most recognisable comedic characters during the 1970s and is considered to be an icon of New Zealand pop culture. The winner receives a trophy of Dagg's gumboot.
History The award was established in 2006 by the NZ Comedy Trust to recognise "The outstanding work of an established professional kiwi comedian." In 2014 the criteria were simplified to become "best show" by a New Zealander.
"The Fred" Gumboot is presented along with the Billy T Award at the end of festival prize-giving showcase "Last Laughs" where nominated finalists perform their final set of the festival. The winner is decided by a panel of judges and the prize is presented by the winner from the previous year.
Winners +Fred Award winners by yearYear Winner Other nominees 2006Brendhan Lovegrove, The Brendhan Lovegrove Project2007Dai Henwood, Dai-namic ScenarioEwen GilmourTe Radar2008Ben Hurley, BoomThe OutwitsJustine Smith, Return of the Jussi2009Te Radar, Eating the DogPaul EgoSteve Wrigley2010Wilson Dixon, Wilson Dixon's American Dream2011Jan Maree, Fever Bitch!2012Rhys Darby, This Way to SpaceshipBrendhan Lovegrove, Bury Me HappyThe Boy With Tape On His Face, More Tape2013Jarred Christmas, Let's Go MofoJames Nokise, So-So GangstaNick Rado, The Funniest Joke in the World2014Trygve Wakenshaw, KrakenJamie Bowen, Heart Goes BoomRhys Darby, Mr. Adventure2015Dai Henwood, DaigressionJamie Bowen, Head Goes BangUrzila Carlson, Man Up2016Rhys Mathewson, Nouveau RhysPax Assadi, In Mid-Season FormNic Sampson, Nic Sampson Has Fallen Down A Well2017Rose Matafeo, Sassy Best FriendFuq Boiz (Hamish Parkinson and Ryan Richards), Fuq BoizEli Matthewson, The Year of Magical FuckingGuy Montgomery, Let's All Get in a Room Together2018Chris Parker, Camp BinchFrickin Dangerous Bro (Pax Assadi, James Roque, Jamaine Ross), HumbleRose Matafeo, HorndogNick Rado, Nail It!2019James Nokise, God Damn Fancy ManBarnie Duncan, Tap HeadJames Roque, Boy Mestizo2021Eli Matthewson, Daddy-Short-LegsDavid Correos, David Correos is David PostofficeTwo Hearts (Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore), We're Pregnant and The Baby is Music2023Guy Montgomery, My Brain is Blowing Me CrazyBrendon Green, I'm Happy You're HereJamaine Ross, Vaguely Familiar2024Barnie Duncan and Trygve Wakenshaw, Different PartyAlice Snedden, Highly CredibleHayley Sproull, Wild Flutters2025Angella Dravid, I'm Happy for YouMelanie Bracewell, A Little TreatAbby Howells, Welcome to my Dream2026David Correos, Touching My Active MindMelanie Bracewell, Dilly DallyingBubbah, Lonly Fans
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