Preaching to the home crowd on his debut tour

ENTERTAINMENT MUST GO ON: Opeti Vaka says, 'The audience is the biggest reason I will never stop doing comedy. Their love and belief in my craft keep me going.' Picture supplied

Prepare to be enlightened by stand-up comedian Opeti Vaka's sermon on Aotearoa's “real” issues, from new age parenting to politics, at the Lawson Field Theatre on Saturday.

His show Churrch Bro will replicate the format of a Christian mass and promises to bring out the fun and laughter as the comedian shares stories from his personal experiences and encounters — something that Vaka describes as his “little testimony”.

Performing in Te Tairawhiti for the first time, the man himself is no stranger to the region.

“It'll be great to once again reunite with the Maori side of my whanau like my grandmother who lives up the coast in Tolaga Bay.”

Besides his Maori heritage, Vaka also has Tongan ancestry — a combination that is sure to present the audience with a comedic perspective from two sides of the Pacific.

Vaka credits his mother for recognising his talent early on.

“Ever since I was a kid, my mum always told me to try stand-up comedy. She was very encouraging but it wasn't until I was in my 20s that I finally went to an open mic night and haven't stopped since.”

While speaking about serious issues such as race relations and crime in comedy, it was always about how it was delivered that made all the difference, he said.

“If you just give it straight up, people don't want to hear it. But package it in a clever way and they will appreciate both the content and art.”

Vaka was voted the best newcomer in the Wellington Comedy Awards in 2019 and won the Wellington Raw Comedy Quest. He was grateful for both experiences, which he said provided him with a “good learning experience” and more opportunities to perform.

He fondly recalls his first paid comedy gig called Dan Comedy which was run by another renowned comedian Joe Wood.

“I was glad that I did that,” Vaka said.

“Even though I haven't yet committed myself to the profession full-time. It is always my audience who have encouraged me to do what I do – by believing in me.”

This is the first tour for Wellington-based Vaka.

Churrch Bro. Lawson Field Theatre. 8.30pm. For tickets visit https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=CHURCH2023