Ben Hurley is a stand-up comedian from New Zealand. Hurley started his comedy career in Wellington as resident host of The Wellington Comedy Club. After winning the Billy T Award he moved to London and worked on the comedy circuit there between 2005 and 2008. He has supported the likes of Andy Parsons, Stewart Lee and Ed Byrne on their UK tours.
He has performed as part of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival 10 years in a row.
His comedy is largely based on his experiences growing up in the rural Taranaki region of New Zealand but also deals with topics like relationships, religion, music, politics and his family. He is constantly touring, having played all over the UK, Ireland, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Hurley's TV credits in New Zealand include the TV3 panel show 7 Days, on which he serves as a writer and core cast member. He has also featured in 8 NZ Comedy Festival Galas, in the AotearoHA series Funny Roots and his own stand-up comedy special called After Hours. In 2021 he appeared on the panel show Patriot Brains. In 2024, he appeared as a contestant in season 5 of Taskmaster New Zealand.
NZ Comedy Festival Shows
2002, Comedion (with Steve Wrigley and mrs.peacock)
2003, Bigger than Ben Hurley
2004, Political and Stuff
2005, Comedy Convoy (with Stewart Lee, Rhys Darby, Michèle A’Court and Carl Barron)
2006, Here I Go Again On My Own
2007, The Big Show (with Mickey D and Alun Cochrane)
2008, Boom!
2009, Actually, I Do Mind
2010, Ultra Mega Alright
2011, Do the Evolution
2012, Live and Unleashed (with Steve Wrigley)
2013, More Live and More Unleashed (with Steve Wrigley)
2014, The Reckoning
2015, Ben Defend New Zealand (with guests)
2016, Earth, Planet, World
2017, 22 Rants About Fuck
Awards
2002 TV2's Pulp Comedy Best New Face
2004 Billy T Award Winner
2004 NZ Comedy Guild Best Male Comedian
2008 Fred Dagg Award Winner