Rhys Mathewson is an award-winning comedian, writer, MC and presenter.
Rhys has appeared on our screens for over 10 years on shows such as: 7 Days, Have you Been Paying Attention? The Project and his current role as roving reporter for 7 Sharp.
He is one of the best stand-up comedians in Aotearoa and he has the awards to prove it! Rhys has won the prestigious Billy T James Award and the Fred Dagg Award for Best Show at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. He also picked up the New Zealand Comedy Guild award for Best MC in 2017.
Background
After spending a few years in the UK polishing his comedy Gold at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and on the UK Comedy circuit he has returned home match fit & ready to bring it. Rhys’ energy and youthful take on complex issues has seen him recognised as a comedic force among his local and international peers.
After being plucked out of obscurity in 2006 as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival’s Class Comedians programme, his talents were recognised by the industry and he soon began gigging professionally and returned to perform ensemble shows at the Festival while still at school.
Then in 2009 his first solo show “The Best $18 You’ll Ever Spend” won him the Festival’s “Best Newcomer” Award and the critic’s respect and in 2010 he became the youngest ever winner of the coveted Billy T Comedy Award.
Since then Rhys starred in TVNZ’s “Best Bits” as a regular panellist and appeared in TV2’s “Christmas Gala”. He whipped it in TV3’s “AoteoroHA” series and ”7 Days” and in C4’s Jono Project and WannaBEN.
In 2016, Rhys’ NZ International Comedy Festival Show "Nouveau Rhys" won the coveted FRED Award for the best show at the Festival making him one of the youngest winners ever.
Rhys’ charm, self-deprecating humour, his wonderful story telling talents combined with his perfectly delivered one-liners and physical presence have now established him as a sought after comedian and writer in the entertainment industry.
If you need someone to liven up a conference or awards show (all while making sure it runs smoothly!), then Rhys is the perfect comedian for the job.
Rhys has an incredible ability to read the room, captivate an audience and make genuinely funny jokes. He was contacted on the day to cover for our MC who had contracted COVID and we couldn' ... keep reading NZ Retail Interior Association
Rhys was fantastic! He knew the material, he really worked the room, and our guests loved him and had people engaged through a really long event so we were so stoked to have him!
Despite performing for a very rambunctious crowd of builders, Rhys was a pro and handled himself well.
