"I wasn't too disappointed about that. At the end of the day, I don't mind not going to Auckland."
He was nominated for three awards in total - Best Male, Best MC, and Most Improved.
The awards cover performers across the central North Island.
"I know it's only an hour away, but I didn't want to drive all the way to Palmy for nothing, you know?
"I'm a paid comedian now, I'm not going there for charity. I'm coming home with something. I don't care what it is.
"To get the win was great. I had something to show for that $40 petrol money."
Brooking has now built his set up to half an hour, with a mix of different styles and genres.
Singing, something he said he was never very good at, has now become a part of his performances as well.
His aim is to present the audiences with "multiple layers of comedy", rather than sticking to a linear style.
"30 minutes is a long time to be talking to people, and to keep them engrossed in what you're saying," Brooking said.
"At the start I wasn't really the most confident with the singing, but as time has rolled by and I've got more stage time, I'm not mucking around.
"I get up there and just belt that s**t out."
As for what came next, Brooking said he would be spending the next two or three weeks focussing on time with his family.
"I'm usually racing around, but I try and spend as much time with them as I can.
"After that I'll be doing some shows with Brendhan Lovegrove at the start of next year.
"As always, I'll just keep showing up, getting the job done and hanging on for dear life.
"Let's see where it takes me."
