Dai Henwood recognised in 2025 King's Birthday Honours

The New Zealand Comedy Trust extends our warmest congratulations to Dai Henwood, who has been named in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours list as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit ONZM for Services to the Entertainment Industry and Charitable Fundraising.

A true titan of Aotearoa’s comedy scene, Dai has been entertaining New Zealanders for over two decades with unmatched energy, generosity and wit. His impact is felt not only through his unforgettable live performances and beloved television appearances, but also through his tireless work behind the scenes: mentoring emerging comedians, supporting causes close to his heart, and showing up for our community time and again.

"Dai has funny bones! I was brought into Dai’s world back in high school, performing in a comedy he wrote at Wellington College, The Government Inspector. Since then, Dai has given Aotearoa so much more than laughter. He has been a guiding light in comedy, fearless on stage, generous behind the scenes, and deeply human in the way he lives. His humour connects us, but it’s his courage and kindness that leave a lasting impact." - Lauren Whitney, Chief Executive, New Zealand Comedy Trust

Dai first hit our screens on Pulp Comedy in the late 1990s, quickly becoming a fan favourite and earning Best New Face in 1999. In the years that followed, he collected some of New Zealand comedy’s top accolades, including the Billy T Award in 2002 and the Fred Award in 2007 and 2015, and took his talents global with performances in Tokyo, Edinburgh and Montreal. His storytelling, physicality and presence made him instantly recognisable, first with C4’s Roll The Dai, and in 2009 he became a fixture in Kiwi living rooms on 7 Days.

And yet, Dai is so much more than a brilliant performer. He is a mentor, an advocate, a generous collaborator, and a proud supporter of the next generation of comedic voices. In 2020, Dai was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. After keeping his diagnosis private for three years, he chose to share his story publicly, bringing vulnerability, humour and light to some hard conversations.

Through campaigns like Daffodil Day’s Comedy Treatment and Radio Hauraki’s Day in Loo, Dai has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer awareness and research. Perhaps more importantly, he has given voice to experiences that are often hidden away. His courage in speaking openly about living with incurable cancer has changed lives and helped people feel connected.

Beyond the stage and screen, Dai is a passionate sports fan, a proud and unwavering supporter of the Warriors.

Most importantly, his greatest pride and joy is his whānau and close friends, and his love for them shines in everything he does. As he continues to make people laugh, scream “Up the Wahs!” and advocate for cancer research and support, he does so with the kind of grace, humour and strength that inspires us all.

From all of us at the New Zealand Comedy Trust: thank you, Dai. You have given so much to the comedy community and to Aotearoa as a whole. This recognition is a reflection of everything you have built, everything you have shared and the countless people you have uplifted along the way.