Since the 1980s - Billy T James has been the watermark that all New Zealand comedians have been measured against. 

And since 1997, funny folk in this country have coveted having their name mentioned alongside his and the chance to wear his iconic yellow towel.

Hoani Hotene is the latest to achieve the honour of being crowned the Billy T Award winner for comedian with the most outstanding potential at this year's NZ International Comedy Festival.

It came as the festival closed up for another successful season with the Last Laughs finale. Hotene performed alongside fellow finalists David Stuart, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom. Hoani Hotene collected the $5,000 prize and new addition to his towel cupboard  from 2024 Billy T Award winner Lana Walters.

He joins a list of winners that have gone on to become household names in comedy in this country like Paul Ego, Dai Henwood, Ben Hurley, Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Cal Wilson and Ewan Gilmour.

Hotene told The Lowdown “It's a little surreal to have won it. I grew up a huge fan of NZ comedy and a lot of people who have won this award before were a big reason for that. So it's a big honour. 

"Very lucky to have been in the running with people I'm so close with as well. The whole Billy T process is awesome and exhausting. But us nominees being able to lean on and support each other through it made it a lot easier.

"Comedy is something you always have to work on to get better and sharper to become a great comedian. This is a huge recognition that I'm going in the right direction. But I know I've still got a lot to learn.”

Another former Billy T Winner was back in the Festival winners circule - with Angella Dravid bestowed with the 2025 Fred Award for the Best New Zealand Show for I'm Happy For You - edging two other previous Yellow Towel triumphs in Abby Howells and Melanie Bracewell.

Named after John Clarke’s legendary Kiwi character Fred Dagg, the recognition comes with the Golden Gumboot and a $5,000 cash grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust.

Also recognised on the night were the Best Newcomers of the Comedy Fest, with comedian and lawyer Sean Collier winning for his show, Write-Off as the pick of the Auckland crop.

Collier told The Lowdown "To be honest I was genuinely shocked to be nominated, I didn’t think winning an award like this would even be in my sphere of possibility.

"I’ve been doing comedy for a few years now and I had sort of figured that my act didn’t have much industry appeal, so getting this award has been extremely vindicating, as well as bewildering. Quite an overwhelming experience, really.

"I was already frothing that some of my shows had sold out and this is definitely a cherry on top. I will say I don’t feel like much of a newcomer though! I’ve been at this stuff for years with nobody paying attention! Do the mahi, get the treats I guess!" 

Wellington produced joint winners - with Mo Munn's Is It Off? and Liv Ward's EPIC WAY! I'm Gay? Oui oui faguette™ I LOVE KIM HILL (1999 version).

Ward told The Lowdown they're thrilled to share the Best Newcomer title with their good friend.

"As I champion trans comedy, Mo champions indigenous comedy here in Aotearoa - it's very special to see us be given this platform and I hope that we can just continue to make the things that we enjoy doing."

Johanna Cosgrove landed the Festival Director’s Choice Award with SWEETIE, while Scotsman Rosco McClelland and Australian Elouise Eftos shared the Best International Act honours.

James Nokise was also honoured in person in front of his peers with his 2024 Topp Prize by New Zealand Comedy Trust Chief Executive, Lauren Whitney.

Ige excels

Nigerian born, Auckland-based painter Ruth Ige has landed the biggest recognition of her career to date, announced as the winner of the $25,000 Rydal Art Prize.

It was presented for the first time at West Auckland's Te Uru Gallery after its shift from Tauranga, selected by a panel made up of Natasha Conland, Senior Curator Global Contemporary Art at Auckland Art Gallery, Taarati Taiaroa (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Apa) Assistant Curator Contemporary Māori Art at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery Len Lye Centre and Te Uru Curator James Gatt.

The judging panel states: “Ige has developed a unique approach to her painting practice since her graduation from AUT University in 2016 and early exhibitions from 2017. Cognisant of the invisibility of Black Diaspora in Aotearoa, she has formulated a painterly language that centres on representations of the Black female figure. 

"These evocative works are painted for their belief in the ability of the ancient medium of painting to create a haven within our times, even within an established set of materials and forms.”

Ige - who was recognised for her solo exhibition of new work at Wellington's McLeavey Gallery, The poetic notions of blue: A haven, earlier this year - was overwhelmed by the award.

“I am immensely honoured to be receiving this prize. My heart is filled with deep gratitude. It means alot to be recognised by my art community. Not only has it made my year, but I will forever remember this moment. Thank you to everyone involved in this process. To all the judges and curators thank you. Thank you for believing in my work and art practice.”

Ige will continue to explore themes of identity, heritage, and transformation with a new body of work in a solo exhibition, which will open in August 2026 at Te Uru. 

“We are thrilled to have Ruth Ige as the winner of the first Rydal Art Prize to be presented at Te Uru,” said AD Schierning, Director of Te Uru. “Ruth has already launched an impressive international career and shows great promise as an artist. Her approach to painting is incredibly unique and pushes boundaries, offering a great deal to the conversation around painting in Aotearoa.”

Met moment for Aotearoa

New Zealand artists are taking centre stage in the Big Apple.

The reopening of the Arts of Oceania galleries at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is a long time in the making - after a multi-year renovation of a wing that is of significant cultural significance to Aotearoa.

The transformation has been overseen by Māori curator Dr Maia Nuku (Ngāi Tai) with the addition of new works from New Zealand artists, including Aotearoa's 2026 Venice Biennale representative Fiona Pardington (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Clan Cameron of Erracht).

Ahead of the early morning pōwhiri on Friday (New Zealand time), Pardington told The Lowdown "I’m listening to sirens from my hotel on the lower east side in NYC, and pinching myself."

Joining her in attending the re-opening at the Met are seven invited Māori and Pasifika artists who will also take part in workshops and performances while there. Sofia Tekela-Smith (Scottish/Rotuma), Raymond Sagapolutele (Samoan – Fatuvalu/Saluafata), Benjamin Work (Scottish/Tongan – Ha'a Lātūhifo/Orkney), Ataraiti Waretini (Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao, Tainui, Te Rarawa), Tangimoe Clay (Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Ngahere), Lewis Whaitiri (Te Tairāwhiti) and Puamiria Parata-Goodall, (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha and Ngāti Kahungunu) have all been supported to get to NYC by Creative NZ.

The opening of the new collections marks 40 years since Te Māori opened at The Met in 1984 - a groundbreaking exhibition marking the first time Māori art was shown internationally with full iwi authority - before eventually travelling further around the United States.

Art Council member Parata-Goodall was a rangatahi performer for Te Māori when it toured to its final U.S location, Chicago, in 1986. 

“The ongoing relationship with The Met has its genesis in Te Māori. The Met was one of the first international museums to work with Māori to recognise the mana of our artforms. Our artforms speak to our identity. 

"Having Maia Nuku as the lead curator for this project helping to tell our stories in that space, gives our taonga back their voice. It is significant that our taonga and our people continue to stand on the world’s stage.”

Vale Andrew Shaw

A man who has made a lasting impression on the Aotearoa screen industry is being remembered for his half-century in the sector.

Andrew Shaw passed away at 68 after a battle with cancer, with many honouring his extraordinary impact on television in this country. It started as a Children's show presenter in the '70s, with Here’s Andy, (later renamed Hey Hey It’s Andy).

But it's behind the scenes where Shaw truly made his name.  He held a number of important positions across some of the biggest institutions in the sector - including as a NZ On Air Board member, TVNZ's Commissioner and Content Executive, as well as Chief Operating Officer at production company South Pacific Pictures.

Shaw was also a director and producer of a wide range of genres and famously worked as both a presenter and producer for the telethons which raised millions for charity in the 1970s and 1980s.

Among his accolades, Shaw was named Television Legend at the 2020 NZ Television Awards and as Industry Champion by the New Zealand's producers' guild SPADA.

In a statement, NZ on Air noted "Our staff and Board will remember Andrew for his sharp wit and articulate, thoughtful contributions to meetings. He challenged us all to make robust, well-informed decisions for the audiences of Aotearoa. His passion and dedication to the sector he loved was unwavering as was his friendship and support."

A TVNZ spokesperson added "Some of the biggest programmes in TVNZ’s archive carry Andrew’s name in the credits.

"Andrew would have dismissed attempts to describe his legacy with a witty retort that would have had everybody laughing, but his immense contribution to television in New Zealand cannot be overstated.

"He was a passionate advocate for the local production community, a loyal colleague and a great friend."

This one's for the mums

New Zealand Music Month is almost over - and it's finishing with its usual flourish.

Before the bright lights of Auckland soak up the headlines, Gore took its moment in the spotlight with its now annual event, the Country Music Honours, part of the town's 10-day Tussock Country Music Festival.

The 2025 APRA Best Country Music Song Award was hotly contested with Holly Arrowsmith's Blue Dreams victorious over fellow finalists Tami Neilson and Mel Parsons - making her a three-time winner of the award after success in 2019 (Slow Train Creek) and 2024 (Desert Dove).

Arrowsmith told The Lowdown “Winning the APRA Best Country Song Award for ‘Blue Dreams’ feels like a win for mothers, and the often invisible work we do. 

"This song emerged when I became a first-time parent, navigating those early days of exhaustion and loss of identity, all while managing the huge burden of responsibility that comes with bringing life into such a turbulent world. 

"Nothing can prepare you for that transition. In those early months, I remember feeling like a needed a song about this, I needed it for myself, and I'd never heard one.  So, I wrote the song that I needed to hear.  

"To have Blue Dreams - such a personal song - be received and loved by so many people, and recognised by my peers means so much to me.”  

The MLT Songwriting award - which celebrates unreleased original songs from Aotearoa - was awarded to wāhine Māori Nicola Mitchell, Byllie-Jean Zeta, and Em-Hayley Walker (AKA Theia and Te Kaahu) for their waiata Wā/Time performed by Nicola Mitchell. 

But the most emotional moment came with the debut of a new acknowledgement - the Country Music Honour for Contribution to Country Music in Aotearoa. 

The inaugural recipient was a surprised Neilson, recognised for her outstanding impact and unwavering dedication to the country music scene in New Zealand - with particular focus on the opportunities she has selflessly created for the emerging artists around her. 

Watching a tribute video that included icons like the Topp Twins and Willie Nelson brought Neilson - and many in the theatre - to tears, even losing both her fake lashes in the process.
  

Neilson's had a big week, with the announcement of her nationwide Neon Cowgirl tour and her new single Borrow My Boots being added to rotation on country music radio station, iHeartCountry New Zealand - inexplicitly the first time that's happened for her in this country.

AMAs incoming

All three of the Country Song of the year finalists are up for other awards at the Aotearoa Music Awards (AMAs) at Tāmaki Makaurau's Viaduct events Centre on Thursday (29 May).

There will be a stack of awards handed out on the night (read here to see who has the most shots at success) but one has already been revealed.

The always popular L.A.B has been awarded the Te Manu Mātārae Tūi, an acknowledgement of their successful 2024 - which included their sixth album going number one of the official top 40 charts, five of the Top 10 most played tracks on NZ radio, two of the Top 10 tracks in Spotify’s NZ Global Impact List, sold out a US tour and massive NZ summer shows.

Frontman Joel Shadbolt states “To be awarded the Te Manu Mātārae Tūī is something really special. The past year has been massive for us, with the release of our new album, touring and more recording. Being acknowledged in this way by Recorded Music NZ is really humbling, and we are grateful not only for the award, but also to be able to share the stage with just a taste of some of the incredible artists we have in Aotearoa.”

The band could be in for more trophies - in the running for Album of the Year and Best Group at the AMAs, where they will also perform.

Pan-Asian spotlight

It's been an important month from musicians who don't get put on the mainstream pedestal as well.

New Zealand on Air's New Music Pan-Asian focus round has announced it will invest up to $11,000 into 20 Pan-Asian artists with the recording, video content, and promotion costs.

Designed to address the historic under-representation of pan-Asian artists in the music sector and within NZ On Air's our music funding, 65 eligible applications were whittled down to 20 successful applicants, 14 of them receiving NZ On Air funding for the first time.

The recipients represent a wide spectrum of Pan-Asian identities, including individuals from China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, the Middle East, Taiwan, Malaysia, Kurdistan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

One of those given the greenlight is Danielle Hao-Aickin - AKA dān dān - who told The Lowdown she won't be taking this opportunity lightly.

"NZ on Air's New Music Pan-Asian has been instrumental in allowing Asian artists in the underground music industry to be recognised on a bigger platform.

"In recent years, initiatives like Asian(Sound)Scapes, Asians in Music, the Asian Artists' Fund (Foundation North x Creative New Zealand), Big Fan's Pan-Asian Fan Camp, and of course the NZOA New Music Pan-Asian have all become pivotal opportunities for artists with Asian heritage in the creative space.

"While this may seem like a long list, these initiatives are only dated from 2022, reflecting the recent shift the music industry has had as a whole.

"Personally, receiving funding from NZOA has been the reason I've been able to launch my solo project dān dān, not only for the financial support but also the recognition that more Asian artists need to be represented in our industry.

"Being able to make ground in the Aotearoa music scene right now is exciting but not without its challenges. There’s still a lot of work to be done in terms of visibility and access, but I’m so grateful that we’ve been given the opportunity to begin this journey as a community."

Sienna's strange success

The next generation of songwriting talent's also getting a national platform, with the Play It Strange Year 9-11 Junior Songwriting Competition winners confirmed.

From a record-breaking 180 entries, 45 will receive a day in a professional recording studio to record their song, working alongside some of the country's leading producers and engineers. 

But the judging panel of professional recording artists Louis Baker, CHAII, Georgia Lines and Mike Chunn singled out Year 10 student Sienna Fitzgerald - a two-time finalist last year - as the top entry for 2025 with her song Sweetness. 

Fitzgerald's prize comes with a one-on-one mentioning session with Baker, a $500 Rockshop voucher, a chance to be interviewed and have her song played on Auckland's bFM and a performance at the Play It Strange Annual Awards, including a full day of music industry mentoring.

Fellow Year 10s Isabella Bedoya came second for her song In Ten Years, and Lucy Hassan third with The Ballad of a Broken Poet,.

Chunn, Play It Strange's founder and judge for every competition in the organisation's history, states “We are finding the lyrics more sophisticated and the music more entwined with those words every year. Listening to them as they roll by is a truly wonderful experience.”

Artists drawn to Wellington

King's Birthday weekend is more than just an extra day off for many in the arts world - with a number performances and exhibitions set to take advantage of New Zealanders looking for creative inspiration.

It's also the annual indication that the NZ Art Show is returning to Wellington (30 May-1 June), celebrating 21 years of showcasing the country’s contemporary artists.

Over 250 artists and more than 4,000 artworks will again be on display - with the desire to see more New Zealand artwork on New Zealand walls.

Set up in well underway at TSB Arena and Shed 6 - with the install moving at rapid pace.

After Thursday's sold out Gala evening, a number of awards will be given out over the course of the next three days - the RT Nelson Awards for Sculpture sees some of the country's leading sculpture artists vying for the top prize, while others gongs will include the Emerging Artist and People's Choice Awards.

Liam's leap

Liam Jacobson's creative journey is taking another direction - after landing a place as the new Curatorial Intern at Te Tuhi's Parnell Project Space.

Jacobson (Kāi Tahu) already has several strings to his bow career, having written alongside a range of artists, galleries and publications, as well as touring poetry and theatre across the country and overseas - including a poetry collection published by Dead Bird Books. He also holds a BA in Sociology and Film. 

But Beginning in July 2025 and for the following 18 months, Jacobson will be moving into new territory in a position designed to enhance the aspirations of early-career curators.

“I’m excited and pretty nervous for this role, but am keen to consider play, resistance and manaakitaka as core impulses of the gallery and project-space. I want to help facilitate a motley as programme, by bringing artists together across a range of disciplines.”

He's the fifth recipient of the internship, following in the footsteps of Jordan Davey-Emms, Felixe Laing, Jasmine Tuiā  and James Tapsell-Kururangi.

MOTAT exec on the move

After a number of big wins of late - MOTAT's had to accept one recent loss.

The hunt for a new Director of Museum Experience will begin soon after incumbent Sally Manuireva announced she will be leaving her role in August. 

Manuireva has spent five of her 15 years working in the Aotearoa GLAM sector in her MOTAT gig, overseeing the likes of the award-winning Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre. She is returning to the UK to be closer to family and to pursue new opportunities in her professional career.

"Aotearoa will always hold a special place for me. For now, I’d just like to give my genuine thanks to the amazing MOTAT whānau for five very special years here. I’m going to miss this team and will be flying the flag for MOTAT from afar."