TikTok goes live at Auckland Comedy Festival

Four TikTok creators are joining the New Zealand International Comedy Festival this year.

Hosted by RNZ’s James Nokise, the event Going Live, is taking place in Auckland this Sunday May 16 at Te Pou Theatre, after showing last night at Q Theatre.

The festival returned last week, with events across Tāmaki Makaurau, after being cancelled last year due to COVID-19

One act, Rishika Iyer (@funcoolpopulargirl) says it has “opened up a new avenue of comedy”.

Ms Ayer - who has over 30 thousand followers on Tiktok - rose to fame for her comedic approach to social commentary.

“I feel like watching a TikToker live will make people take it more seriously,” she says.

“One of the main reasons it [the event] is happening is because comedy is so exclusive.

“Unconventional comedians from TikTok and YouTube may not feel as welcome."

Ms Iyer says the main idea of the show is to expose a live comedy audience - who are usually older - to a new form of comedy.

“Paying money to see someone perform is such a massive step up,” she says.

Joining her are fellow social media comedians Joe Daymond, Bree Tomasel and Uncle Jack Tai.

The New Zealand Comedy Trust is also providing $10 tickets for low-income earners.

Events are going on across the country until May 23.