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Magic. Mischief. Mayhem.

The fifteenth New Zealand Improv Festival took place from 4–13 October 2024, in beautiful Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), based at the BATS Theatre with a few events offsite.

Featuring a dizzying variety of shows, workshops, mixers, conference sessions and social events, NZIF showcases the best of improv from Aotearoa, Australasia and beyond.

View the programme announcement here.

Want to take part in the 2025 Festival? Sign up to our participant mailing list.

Want to find out about shows in the 2025 Festival? Sign up to our audience mailer.

Proudly Supported

New Zealand Improv Festival is grateful to have been supported by Wellington City Council, NZ Community Trust, Little Manila, Insight to Action Consulting, John Ilott Charitable Trust and Creative New Zealand in delivering this incredible event in recent years.

Want to get behind us? There’s room for you too!

 
 
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The Latest

 
 
 
Featured
New Leadership for the New Zealand Improv Trust
New Leadership for the New Zealand Improv Trust

The New Zealand Improv Trust is thrilled to announce Jennifer O’Sullivan as its new Chair, succeeding Tai Samaeli.

NZIF 2024: Hui and workshops for Māori and Pasifika improv practitioners
NZIF 2024: Hui and workshops for Māori and Pasifika improv practitioners
NZIF 2024: Programme Announcement
NZIF 2024: Programme Announcement

We're so flipping excited to reveal the programme for the 2024 New Zealand Improv Festival!

NZIF 2024: Pitches open!
NZIF 2024: Pitches open!

Do you want to present something as part of the 2024 New Zealand Improv Festival? Good news! Pitches are open! We’re looking for pitches of shows, workshops and talks (or something else entirely!) to be part of the Festival. The full details of what we’re after are below.

NZIF 2023: Wrap-Up
NZIF 2023: Wrap-Up

Well, the dust has finally settled on the 2023 New Zealand Improv Festival.

Our first Festival back was one of our biggest to date. 188 people took part as teachers, directors, performers, speakers, and workshop attendees.

Vale Cal Wilson
Vale Cal Wilson

Along with the Aotearoa improv community, we are mourning the passing of comedy icon Cal Wilson. As well as being an iconic standup comedian, presenter and national treasure on both sides of the Tasman, Cal was instrumental in the early days of improv in Aotearoa.

Give us a Boost
Give us a Boost

Support the 2023 NZ Improv Fest & our governing board. Donate to our Boosted campaign or share it with your networks!

NZIF 2023: Programme Announced!
NZIF 2023: Programme Announced!

After a year’s hiatus, the New Zealand Improv Festival makes its triumphant return this October!

This year’s NZIF will take place…

NZIF 2023: Applications Open!
NZIF 2023: Applications Open!

We are very excited to announce that applications to present at the 2023 New Zealand Improv Festival open today. The festival will take place from 7–14 October 2023, at the beautiful BATS Theatre in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), and we want you to be a part of it.

NZIF 2023-2025 Artistic Directors Announced
NZIF 2023-2025 Artistic Directors Announced

The New Zealand Improvisation Trust (NZIT) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Matt Powell (left) and Jim Fishwick as our new Artistic Co-Directors for the New Zealand Improv Festival (NZIF). Their three-year contract will begin with NZIF 2023, marking the festival’s return after a brief hiatus and the departure of former director and new board member, Jennifer O’Sullivan.