Stoke My Whāea

Coming in fresh and fruity from their first hot show together in Titirangi, this group of talented whāea just want to keep lit! Nau mai haere mai, Te Awamutu - come and enjoy a wine and a good laugh in the lush surroundings of the Regent Theatre. Hamilton comedian and MC Jaqi Taimana introduces you to six of the funniest wāhine toa on the live comedy circuit right now. Sieni Tiana Leo'o Olo (affectionately known as Bubbah) is a Samoan–New Zealand actor and comedian. She is "Tina from Turners" in the advertisements of Turners Automotive Group and is currently on Celebrity Treasure Island. Courtney Dawson was awarded Best Female Comedian at the 2023 NZ Comedy Guild Awards, and this year was recognised by the NZ International Comedy Festival who named her Best Newcomer for her first solo show with the festival. Kura Turuwhenua forged a name for herself in the NZ Comedy scene when she was awarded Best Newcomer 2023 at the NZ International Comedy Festival, won the NZ Raw Comedy Quest 2021 and was nominated for the NZCG award for Comic Originality. She had her first televised stand-up comedy set at 21 years old as part of Pax Assadi’s Comedy Mixtape and went on to tour NZ when she opened for internationally acclaimed Randy Feltface. Livi Reihana is known for 7 Days, Have You Been Paying Attention? NZ and The Project and being half of the award-winning musical comedy duo, the Fan Brigade. After a successful season and sold-out shows for her first tour, Karine Te Kanawa, creator of Whaea on Fire (2022) brings a mix of real-life experiences, thoughts and comedy to the stage. She's described as Māori girl meets Sex And The City. Blunt as a battle-axe, sharp as a tack, Jaqi Taimana is a multiracial Kiwi songwriter, former teacher and comedian. She is known for her dirty songs, silly parodies and hard-hitting punchlines. Nominated for Best Producer 2023 NZ Comedy Guild Awards."Funny and warm, Jaqi is a comic singer/songwriter with unique stories to tell." Michele A'Court. "Very funny - my pick for a bright future in comedy." Brendhan Lovegrove