Ten brand-new Pacific women stand-up comedians deliver big laughs
It wasn’t the call of a drum that opened the night, but the unmistakable funky intro of Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” – setting a bold tone of female empowerment. This was Aotearoa’s first stand-up comedy show to spotlight 10 brand-new Pacific Island female comedians.
Answering the call of the Va’ine Fresh initiative – a six-week training and mentorship programme created to support Pacific women breaking into stand-up – the ten novice comics took to the stage, bringing the house down as the inaugural programme culminated in a vibrant showcase at the Māngere Arts Centre on Saturday.
MC for the evening, seasoned Cook Islands New Zealand comedian Rhiannon McCall – also the driving force behind Va’ine Fresh, alongside Samoan producer Sarah Richards – was the perfect host for a night like this. By keeping her own stage time short and sweet, she made space for her comedy protégés to take the spotlight and truly shine.
As a stand-up comedian myself, I know that the key to landing a punchline is confidence and conviction – and that only comes from doing as many gigs as possible to build your stage presence. So when you’re about to watch ten comics take the stage for the very first time, it’s natural to adjust your expectations.
Even the MC anticipated some nerves, warming up the crowd by getting them to practice their laughter before the show began.
But from the very first performer to the last, it was clear the audience didn’t need any warm-up. These women – from all corners of the Pacific – may have been new to stand-up, but they proved that performance is in their DNA and humour runs in their blood. Their delivery was confident, most of their punchlines landed, and it was easy to forget this was their first time ever on a comedy stage. Even as each woman walked onto the stage, she carried a confident swagger – moving to the beat of the music – that seemed to inject the perfect burst of adrenaline needed before reaching the mic.
Reflecting on the experience of mentoring her Pacific sisters in comedy, McCall joked that putting ten Pacific women in one room created a wave of laughter big enough to trigger a tsunami warning on the other side of the world. But that wave didn’t stay backstage – it rippled through the audience, who responded with roaring laughter and energy to every hilarious story these performers told.
First up was AMA, introduced as “The Haka Siva Diva.” She set the tone for the night with a hilarious take on growing up in Māngere, sharing a witty anecdote about the meaning of her birthplace and reflecting on the cultural differences between her Samoan and Māori heritage.
Next was Moeroa Marsters, who joked about having a distinctive Cook Islands name – a name that often led to some creative mispronunciations during school roll calls.
The youngest of the group, 19-year-old Harmony Waru, tackled the topic of colonisation with surprising ease and wit. She also had the crowd laughing as she shared how to (politely, at first) ask visitors to leave when they’ve overstayed their welcome.
MARZY delivered a side-splitting set about her anxiety around her heavy breathing in public spaces, using her physicality and animated expressions to elevate every punchline.
Kalo Finaulahi took a more deadpan approach, which worked brilliantly. Her set centred on her experiences working at a library and proudly embracing her identity as a proud “cat lady.”
Malaina Taufa had the audience in stitches with her sharp, hilarious takes on the highs, lows, and pitfalls of social media – including a standout cautionary tale about catfishing.
Ngarima Ioasa reflected on her upbringing in Hawke’s Bay, drawing laughs with her observations on the stark contrasts between rural and city life.
Trish delivered a standout set with her spot-on portrayal of those judgmental aunties we all know – the ones who never miss a chance to mention your weight gain, yet we smile and nod, thanks to cultural respect for our elders.
Love Hevani brought heartfelt humour to the stage, talking openly about living with diabetes, life as a divorcée, and the challenges (and comedy) of dating again as a Pacific Islands woman in her 50s.
Closing the night was Louise Tu’u, a seasoned theatre-maker and actor, who showed her skills translate seamlessly into stand-up. With a dry, satirical tone, she shared the joys – and occasional absurdities – of shopping at op shops.
The Va’ine Fresh comedy night, supported by a Creative New Zealand community scheme facilitated by Auckland Council, brought together a dynamic group of Pacific Islands women – each with a unique comedic voice. While their styles and senses of humour varied, they were united by one powerful thread: their stories, drawn from real-life experiences as Pacific mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, aunties, and friends.
Comedians like Rose Matafeo, Angela Dravid, and Rhiannon McCall have already paved the way for Pacific Islands women, and it’s exciting to think that these ten rising stars might be next. With their debut performance now behind them, we can only hope one (or more!) goes on to become a leading voice in the next generation of Pacific comedy.
Comments
Post a Comment