Our Clearway Gala Dinner & Awards MC

Multi-award-winning comedian, writer, and commentator, Michele A’Court has been a fixture of New Zealand’s cultural landscape since the 1980s. She first captured the nation’s attention as the vibrant host of the beloved children’s television show What Now, launching a career that has spanned television, radio, literature, and live performance.

Michele quickly became known for her incisive wit and fearless intellect, earning widespread acclaim across Aotearoa. Her sharp humour and social commentary have made her a favourite on TV comedy staples like 7Days, which she has featured on since its debut in 2009, and as a guest host on The Project. Her voice is also familiar to radio audiences through regular appearances on RNZ National’s Nine to Noon and commercial radio panels.

In 2010, she was named Female Comedian of the Decade by the NZ Comedy Guild, and in 2015 she was honoured with the VAC Reilly Award for Excellence in Comedy. A compelling performer, Michele continues to tour solo shows across New Zealand, captivating audiences from grand theatres to rural halls, and entertaining global audiences aboard cruise ships.

Beyond the stage and screen, Michele is a trained journalist and a powerful writer. Her weekly column in the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly blends humour and insight, and her bestselling books Stuff I Forgot To Tell My Daughter (2015) and How We Met (2018) reflect her storytelling brilliance. She also co-hosted the podcast and video series On The Rag, a monthly deep-dive into modern feminist issues.

In 2023, Michele was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her services to entertainment and comedy. Deeply committed to community, she is the Patron of The Aunties, a charity supporting women and children in need, and MHANZ, which advocates for health sector carers. She is a Life Member of the NZ Comedy Guild and a proud member of Actors’ Equity.