A multi-talented comedian, playwright, columnist, podcaster, theatre maker, and social commentator, James Nokise is known for his fearless approach and his ability to give a voice to underrepresented issues.

Over the course of his illustrious career James has been nominated twice for the Billy T Award (2005, 2006) and the Fred Award for Best New Zealand Show (2013), which he subsequently took out in 2019 for his show God Damn Fancy Man. He won Best Male Comedian at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards (2013), Spirit of the Festival at the 2021 NZ Comedy Fest and the Topp Prize (2024). James was also the winner of best documentary at the 2025 NZ radio awards for his series The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior, and winner of the Best International Podcast at the 2025 Asia Podcast Awards.

James has an extensive touring career, including over a decade of shows in the NZ International Comedy Festival and multiple Comedy Gala performances, as well as years on the international Fringe Festival circuit, performing successful seasons in Edinburgh, Perth, and New York.

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AWARDS

2013 Best Male Comedian - NZ Comedy Guild Awards

2013 Fred Award Nominee - NZ International Comedy Festival