Mike King

2019 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, Mike has spoken to tens of thousands of Kiwis about depression, addiction, mental health and suicide.

In a previous life, Mike King was our very own comedic, cultural ambassador, performing at more international festivals than any other Kiwi comedian. He was a familiar face on New Zealand television, hosting numerous comedy series.

In January 1997 he was voted Comedian of the Year by Metro Magazine readers with only two years of stand-up comedy under his belt. In that short time Mike was invited to perform at the prestigious Montreal and Melbourne Comedy Festivals. He also performed in London and Amsterdam, and toured New Zealand extensively and appeared on iconic shows such as “Pulp Comedy” and "Game of Two Halves"

These days Mike has retired from stand-up comedy, devoting his time to help others understand mental illness and strategies to cope with it.  

He regularly delivers a motivational message to High School students about setting and achieving goals drawing on his own life experiences as well as delivering hundreds of addresses each year to communities on suicide, depression and addiction using his personal experiences mixed with his inimitable humour.

His work was recognised with his nomination for Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year in 2018, in which he was a finalist and winning the award in 2019.  Mike is a giving man, an empath and a truly inspirational speaker for all of us - but particularly with youth and with men - two groups who often find it difficult to reach out and ask for help if they are struggling.

Mike is strongly sought after as a guest speaker and Master of Ceremonies for corporate and private functions.

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