After winning the Billy T Award in 2004, Ben Hurley moved to the UK where he learnt his craft on the notoriously difficult UK pro circuit, including a 3 month UK tour opening for superstar Irish comedian Ed Byrne.  Ben was one of the few Kiwi acts to be invited to perform on the prestigious Comedy Store TV show shown on the Paramount Comedy channel.  He was also one of the stars of the UK Festival Circuit playing to thousands in the Comedy Tents at Reading and Leeds Festival, Bestival and Latitude.

Since returning home, Ben has established himself as part of the upper echelon of New Zealand comedy, winning the prestigious Fred Award for comedic excellence and becoming a regular fixture on TV3’s 7Days as both panellist and head writer.  Audiences will also recognise him from his many appearances on Comedy Galas and the AotearoHA series.

Ben has performed worldwide from Singapore to Bahrain and Ireland to Switzerland and still regularly tours New Zealand playing both theatres and local pubs.  Ben has featured at the World Buskers Festival in Christchurch, the Queenstown Winter Festival, the Dunedin and Wellington Fringes and at five NZ International Comedy Festivals.

Ben Hurley is a comedy chameleon who can turn his way of thinking into any situation he wants.

“Comedic Legend”
– The New Zealand Herald

“It’s easy to see why he’s been given that ‘One to Watch’ tag”
– The Dominion Post

“That's the thing with Ben Hurley - he's fast becoming a Kiwi icon and it feels like you're watching your mate on stage as the boy from the ‘Naki does his stuff.”
- TVNZ

“He delivers his set with an accomplished, award winning air”
– The Capital Times

“A likeable, relaxed manner and he gives off all the right signals to reassure audiences that they’re in safe hands”
- Chortle (UK)

"He can be easily consumed as pure entertainment"
- Metro (UK)

“Excellent timing, belly laughs and an easy charm make him a likable and extremely funny presence. Like all good stand-up comedians, he has a unique world view and happily invites you to take a look around.”
- Christchurch Press