The 35th New Zealand Fringe Festival came to an end over the weekend with festival goers enjoying three weeks of events spanning theatre, dance, cabaret, circus, comedy, music and more. It was capped off with the NZ Fringe annual awards ceremony held at Te Auaha.
Taking out the award for most promising Pasifika Artist was Luchiano Edwards Tuioti for his work –A Master of None: Brown Fala. Luchiano also took out the Momentus Music Award.
Nineteen artists and shows were praised for their achievements in a variety of categories. Thanks to the generous support of sponsors and funders, NZ Fringe was able to offer artists recognition for their hard work, ending the festival on a high.
New Zealand Fringe Festival Director Vanessa Stacey says, “ There’s been such an exceptional range of emerging talent coming from Pōneke and beyond, and they have created some excellent and innovative productions,with plenty more in the bag I’m sure!
The full list of awards and their 2025 recipients are listed below:
Best in Fringe sponsored by Her Worship the Mayor: For You to Know and Me to Find Out
Auckland Fringe Tour Ready Award sponsored by Auckland Fringe Festival: This Wasn’t the Plan: A Musical Theatre Cabaret
Dunedin Fringe Tour Ready Award sponsored by Dunedin Fringe Festival: EPIC WAY! I’m Gay? Oui oui faguette™ I LOVE KIM HILL (1999 version)
Melbourne Fringe Tour Ready Award sponsored by Melbourne Fringe Festival and NZ Fringe: How to Art
The SYNZ Tour Ready Award sponsored by Sydney Fringe Festival and NZ Fringe: For You to Know and Me to Find Out
Adelaide Fringe Tour Ready Award sponsored by Adelaide Fringe and NZ Fringe: For You to Know and Me to Find Out
The International San Diego Fringe Exchange sponsored by San Diego Fringe and NZ Fringe: Baby Gorgeous Build Ups
The Parkin Development Award sponsored by Chris and Kathy Parkin: Below The Worms
Most Innovative Work sponsored by Wellington International Airport: ROADKILL: The Uber-Cool Musical
People’s Choice Picnic Table Design sponsored by Resene: Aimée Sullivan
The Grand Design Award sponsored by Inject Design: Entry: Encounter
Outstanding Solo Performance sponsored by TAHI NZ Festival of Solo Performance: This Wasn’t the Plan: A Musical Theatre Cabaret
Most Promising Emerging Company sponsored by Te Auaha: Below The Worms / DOORMAT — S.L.U.G (Society for Little Ugly Girls) Theatre Company
Most Promising Emerging Artist sponsored by Creative Capital Arts Trust: Zachary Klein — Death, Ray. / HAUSDOWN
Memorable Marketing sponsored by Phantom Billstickers: D’ Things N Such
Most Promising Pasifika Artist sponsored by Creative New Zealand with the support of CNZ Pacific Arts Strategy: Luchiano Edwards Tuioti — A Master of None: Brown Fala
Spectacular Organised Chaos sponsored by BATS Theatre: House of Ick
Momentous Movement sponsored by NZME: Temporal Aria
Momentous Music Award sponsored by Orchestra Wellington: A Master of None: Brown Fala
