Many of the stars of the Melbourne festival will be heading over to New Zealand once the event is over.

Stewart Lee, Stephen K Amos, pictured, and Jeff Green will be making their New Zealand debuts at the event in Auckland and Wellington

Kitty Flanagan, Danny Bhoy and Ian Stone will also be performing, as well as Kiwis Brendhan Lovegrove and Rhys Darby, who have been working on the British circuit.

The event runs from April 29 to May 21.

Producer Scott Blanks said: “Tickets are already romping out the door and we don't open for four weeks.”