We ask the hard questions to comedy duo Hedluv + Passman. Who is your comedy hero? What does your mother think of what you do? Where are you when your jokes come to you?

Think of it as speed dating: A chance to see which comedians you might like to take it further with in the coming three weeks.

Urzila Carlson describes her show in 10 words and explains why it's better to have wisdom than youth in comedy.

Dai Henwood talks about his mum, his comedy heroes and why the shower is the best place to write jokes.

My Cornish rappers have arrived, writes Rhys Darby. I'm really happy that I could start this week's column with that sentence.

The New Zealand International Comedy Festival begins this weekend bringing local and international comic heroes to our stages. Here, Janey Godley talks about her forthcoming shows.

Best known as band manager Murray from Flight of the Conchords, Rhys Darby is one of New Zealand's biggest comedic exports. The funny man popped in to the NZ Herald office for a chat about his new book, This Way to Spaceship, 'a handy autobiographical end-of-the-world companion'.

The New Zealand International Comedy Festival brings local and international comic heroes to our stages. Here, Terry Alderton talks about his forthcoming shows.

The New Zealand International Comedy Festival begins this weekend bringing local and international comic heroes to our stages. Here, Jesse Griffin talks about his forthcoming shows.

The Diary presents some of the stars at the NZ International Comedy Festival gala at Aotea Centre Friday night.

The New Zealand International Comedy Festival begins this weekend bringing local and international comic heroes to our stages. Here, Jamie Bowen talks about his forthcoming shows.

The New Zealand International Comedy Festival begins this weekend bringing local and international comic heroes to our stages. Here, Chris Cox talks about his forthcoming shows.