Comic bidding farewell to Wanganui

OFF TO OZ: Justin "Gish" Hansen's Stink Bro tour will end in Wanganui tonight. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Many have it within, but to stand and deliver in front of a live audience takes a totally different talent.

Stand-up comic Justin "Gish" Hansen is a natural and Wanganui is in for a treat when he makes his last New Zealand gig for the next few years when he delivers his unique brand of comedy at The Riverside Bar in Taupo Quay tonight.

Born in Rotorua, Gish was pushed into the comedy business by friends about four years having honed his musical skills at a school run at Purnell House in Wanganui. Much of his early stand-up routines included musical parodies inspired by his heroes Billy T James, Kevin Bloody Wilson and Rodney Rude. The latter pair, of course, are Australian and that's where his immediate future lies.

"Billy T was there for everybody, but much of my stuff has been influenced by Kevin Bloody Wilson and Rodney Rude. The music parodies remain a big part of my act, although I've added a lot of gags since," Gish said from Greymouth yesterday.

The name Gish is short for "Biggish - without the big bits" by his own admission.

He did have whanau in Wanganui, although they have long since moved to Western Australia.

"I did spend time at music school in Wanganui when it was at Purnell House, but since then I've travelled New Zealand and Australia performing. Friends pretty much pushed me into comedy and my first time was at Classic Comedy in Auckland about four years ago."

The tall Maori with long flowing locks includes a healthy toke of comedy for the bros and is a favourite headliner throughout New Zealand.

He has turned his song writing talents to comedy providing a unique alternative among his fellow stand-up comedians; for which he was a Billy T Comedy Award nominee in 2006.

He has also featured on Pulp Comedy and TV3's comedy special, AotearoHA.

The Wanganui gig tonight ends the celebrated Stink Bro tour.

Manager Wayne Perry said Gish flies out to Australia next week to perform in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Perth.

Tickets are available for $25 door sales if still available, or presales $20 available at The Riverside Bar from 4pm.