Since a triumphant return from the UK comedy circuit, we are supremely lucky to have kept Ben Hurley here in New Zealand. Recently his natural and perceptive comedic talent has been noticed by TV executives, which has resulted in Ben’s involvement in the massive success of TV3 shows 7Days and @seven.

 As a head writer and regular panelist of both shows, Ben has become a part of peoples weekly comedy fix. He pulls no punches does Ben and he has found an amazingly positive resonance with the public. It’s not politically correct, but it’s not Winston Peters either. It’s a level where we can recognize the funny and laugh at ourselves. We’re a funny bunch of people in this country and Ben has a natural ability and talent to get us laughing.

 Ben’s rise in the New Zealand comedy industry hasn’t been overnight however. Having started his career in Wellington he won the 2004 Billy T Award and promptly made his way to the UK where he cut his teeth and learnt his trade amongst the most notoriously challenging comedy circuit in the world.

 There’s a special knack about Ben. The boy from the small town that’s making it work, but he’ll always be the guy from Hawera, with the beard, and the sly look as he lets us all in on the joke.

 Fortunately, for us, the boy from Hawera kept coming back for the Comedy Festival each year while he was based overseas, winning the Fred Award in 2008 for his show BOOM! and blitzing the 2009 Festival with his sold-out retrospective look at the 90’s “Actually, I Do Mind”.