Support the 2027 Wellington Raw Comedy Quest, and help the next generation of Kiwi comics

Hello! It's me, Jerome. You've seen me on stage at comedy shows around the country, or on the door at comedy shows around Wellington, or perhaps at PaknSave Lower Hutt (the best PaknSave).

I co-founded the Humorous Arts Trust in 2010, to support up and coming comedians in Wellington, and around Aotearoa. We're the only artist-lead charity for stand-up comedy in the country.

In that time, we've produced ~2000 gigs, worked with hundreds of performers, and helped reach thousands of audience members, from Invercargill to Kerikeri.

The Wellington Raw Comedy Quest open mic comedy competition is the gateway to comedy for many performers:

Hoani Hotene went on to win the Billy T Award, and appear in TaskmasterNZ

Lesa Macleod-Whiting has appeared on Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee and 7Days

Booth the Clown performed in 2026 Edinburgh Fringe with cult US show Stamptown

Our 2026 winners Ralph Hilaga and Guanny Liu-Prosee head to Auckland this October to represent Wgtn in the National final

and many many more over the years.

And now, we need your help!

The infrastructure that supports our artists is under threat. Our funding for this year's Māori and Pasifika showcase was declined, as well as significant cuts for our Raw Quest and grassroots shows. Our volunteers an support crew have stepped in as best they can, but now it's time for us to step up.

Help us build the foundation for the next generation of artists with more diversity, more laughs, and more silliness for 2027 and beyond.