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New Zealand humour bears some similarities to the body of humour of many other English-speaking countries. There are, however, several regional differences.
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The New Zealand experience
New Zealand is a country that is isolated from much of the rest of the world geographically. New Zealanders are predominantly New Zealand European, although there exists a notable number of Asians, Polynesians and Māori. It is perhaps not surprising that these two situations lead to a humour that often has as a basis the newcomer trying to assimilate themselves with the new country. The intermingled strands of Māori, British, mainland European, Polynesian, Indian and Asian that have made the country their home each look at the land and each other in a different way, and these differences are often the focal point of humour. Comedians from minority groups (such as Raybon Kan and Jacob Rajan) often utilise these differences in their routines. Unlike the UK the word Asian in New Zealand means those of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese etc descent. Those from the Indian subcontinent, India, Pakistan etc or Fijian Indian are generally referred to as Indians. New Zealand's remote and agricultural nature is also a regular comedy catalyst, especially the well-known ratio between people and sheep in the country. The pioneering, backwoods spirit is also commonly used in comedy, as in the stereotypical farmer, Fred Dagg,[1] and the yarns spun by New Zealand writer Barry Crump.
The Trans-Tasman rivalry
Australians are the butt of Kiwi humour (and vice versa) — even at the highest diplomatic level. During the 1980s, then Prime Minister of New Zealand Robert Muldoon was asked about the increasing exodus of New Zealanders leaving the country to work in Australia. His comment was that by doing so, they were raising the average IQ of both countries. The joke derives from the Will Rogers phenomenon.
In general terms, Australians are stereotyped in New Zealand humour as being brash, boorish, lazy and more than a little stupid. New Zealanders, in return, are seen by Aussies as being dull, stupid and mocked as 'South Seas Poms' on account of their supposedly closer ties with Britain ('Pom' is a slang word for 'British people' which is used by New Zealanders and Australians).
Sheep jokes
There are a large number of (mainly crude) sheep jokes. As befitting the trans-Tasman rivalry, Australians tell said jokes about New Zealanders, and New Zealanders tell them about Australians, The English on the other hand reserve sheep jokes for Welsh.
Some sheep jokes also take differences in the accent into account. In one example, a farmer who is having unnatural relations with a sheep is asked if he should rather be shearing the sheep, to which he replies "I'm not shearing this sheep with anyone!" Here shearing is taken to be the pronunciation of the word sharing spoken with a New Zealand accent, as some New Zealand speakers pronounce sharing with the same pronunciation as shearing.
Other sheep jokes (or "ewe-phemisms") include puns on song titles which contain the word ewe. For example, a performing band may announce they are playing the song "There Will Never Be Another You", and follow up by saying that it is particularly bad news for any Australians in the audience.
While other people make jokes about New Zealanders and sheep, New Zealanders themselves are not averse to a bit of sheep humour. In mid-2000, Grant Gillon, then a New Zealand Member of Parliament, caused controversy when he asked the following question during a debate on genetic engineering:
"I want to ask the minister whether, no pun intended, it's appropriate in this case for a woman's body parts to be inserted into a sheep when that has normally been the domain of Tory males?"[2]
A commonly used insult that Australians use is the term 'Sheep-shagger'
Accents
The difference between the accents of the two countries is a constant source of amusement. Many New Zealanders gain an infinite amount of enjoyment out of the perceived similarity between Australians' pronunciation of the word 'six' and its similarity with the word 'sex' - However, Australians' perceive this to be the other way round. New Zealanders also often mock Australians by speaking the Australian accent in a stereotypically Steve Irwin fashion.
Australians also often poke fun at New Zealander's pronunciation of the words "fish and chips" becoming "fush en chups". This is to great frustration of any New Zealander living abroad, who can expect to be repeatedly asked to repeat themselves or say "fish and chips", "yes" or "six". It should be noted though that through a strong Australian accent the words "fish and chips" sounds more like "feesh and cheeps" to a New Zealander.
A recent joke about New Zealander's accents has been the "Beached Whale" animation. The Bean Pictures made a YouTube clip of a whale that became beached on New Zealand and a seagull. Using exaggerated New Zealand accents, the two converse using words that Australians often laugh at when said in a New Zealand accent because of their funny sounding. An extensive conversation about "chups" makes the animation very humorous.
- See also: New Zealand English
Regional Humour
Many regional stereotypes have arisen over the years and jokes are told about other regions based on these stereotypes.
Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and Aucklanders are regarded by many as boorish and insular. Aucklanders are often referred to as JAFAs or "Just Another Fucking Aucklander" and jokes are made about their out-of-touch, soft, city lifestyle and Nouveau riche practices such inappropriate use of Pajeros and other 4x4s exclusively on city streets. This tendency isn't helped by many Aucklanders affecting to not believe that civilisation exists south of the Bombay Hills.
- Q: If there are power shortages, which will you keep running, the cappuccino machine or the air conditioner?
A: Both.
During and after the 1998 Auckland power crisis there were many jokes made about it
- Q: What did Aucklanders use before they had candles?
A: Electricity.
Wellington
Wellington is located in the Roaring Forties and has geography that intensifies the effects of the prevailing winds leading to its nickname "Windy Wellington". Other New Zealanders making jokes about Wellington concentrate on this aspect.
- Q: Why is Wellington so windy....?
A: Cause Auckland sucks ... and Christchurch blows. Wellington is just the empty void in between.
Southland
Southland, as the name suggests, is New Zealand's southernmost province, is seen as remote and has a reputation for inbreeding.
- Southland: 100,000 people and only seven surnames.
- Q: What's the Southland definition of Miscegenation?
A: Marrying a second cousin.
Comedians
Ironically, some of New Zealand's best known comedians have for many years been working almost exclusively in Australia. This includes John Clarke, known to New Zealanders as Fred Dagg, who played the stereotypical farmer with precision and style. His wit has in recent years allowed him to extend his repertoire to a series of biting satires, particularly of politicians. He has also found an outlet in television series such as The Games and films such as Death In Brunswick.
Other examples include Tony Martin of 1980s sketch show, The D-Generation fame. Three compilations of the national radio program Martin/Molloy earned him ARIA awards. He has also written and directed the movie Bad Eggs.
Pamela Stephenson was born in New Zealand, made her name in Australia, went to England and starred in the sketch comedy Not the Nine O'Clock News and currently lives in America with her husband Billy Connolly.
However it was Billy T James who was to dominate New Zealand comedy through the eighties. His first major role being the lead in TVNZ's Radio Times. James went on to gain his own self titled show. Loved and hated for his irreverent portrayal of Maori, his characters, along with John Clarke's Fred Dagg were, until very recently, to set the benchmark for New Zealand comedy.
Alan Brough appears on Spicks and Specks as a writer and team captain. In 2004 he was one third of the radio show Tough Love with Mick Molloy. He has also appeared in several movies such as Bad Eggs
For several years during the 1970s and 1980s, New Zealand television featured a satirical send-up of current affairs entitled A Week of It. This series, and particularly its two main stars, David McPhail and Jon Gadsby, became for several years a mainstay of New Zealand comedy.
One of New Zealand film director Peter Jackson's first films was Meet the Feebles, a riotous sexual puppet romp.
Some more recent New Zealand comedians worthy of mention are:
- Michèle A'Court, who is considered one of New Zealand's premier female comedians. She has worked in radio and television, as a presenter and as an actor in a number of comic roles.
- Jim Hopkins, most notable for his red-rimmed spectacles.
- Raybon Kan, former journalist and lawyer turned comedian.
- Cal Wilson, appearing on Thank God You're Here several times and performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival numerous times. Her career in Australia extended to a regular drive-time radio show and weekly coverage of Australian Idol.
- Jeremy Elwood, who has been a New Zealand resident for ten years. During that time he has established himself as a rising star of the local stand-up comedy circuit. His routine combines social commentary with music and song.
- Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, form the partnership 'Flight of the Conchords', now a HBO television series, which "follows the trials and tribulations of a two man, digi-folk band from New Zealand as they try to make a name for themselves in their adopted home of New York City".
- Benjamin Crellin, is considered the black sheep of New Zealand comedy. Benjamin makes heavy use of irony and satire as he disects the modern world we live in humorously pointing out all the absuditites which fly under our radar. He features regularly in the Kiwi comedy circuit and has tour abroad to Canada, England, Scotland and Australia.
Comedy films
- Goodbye Pork Pie (1981)
- Tally Ho
- Came a Hot Friday (1985)
- Old Scores (1991)
- The Price of Milk (2000)
- Stickmen (2001)
- Tongan Ninja (2002)
- Sione's Wedding (2006)
- Black Sheep (2007)
- The Devil Dared Me To (2007)
- Men Shouldn't Sing (2007)
- Eagle vs Shark (2007)
Cartoons
- Footrot Flats
- Stanley
- Bogor
See also: Category:New Zealand cartoonists
See also: Culture of New Zealand#Comedy
Comedy television
- Seven Days
- Glide Time
- A Week Of It
- The Billy T. James Show
- Serial Killers
- Bro'Town
- Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby
- Eating Media Lunch
- Pulp Sport
- Moon TV
- Back Of The Y
- Flight of the Conchords
- Facelift[3]
References
- ^ Wit & humour, John Clarke, NZ Listener, August 1-7 2009
- ^ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?ObjectID=143028: New Zealand Herald article on Grant Gillon's sheep joke
- ^ TVNZ, Facelift
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