Comedian Jeremy Elwood's response to government health warnings on cigarette packets has won him the Gag of the Year Award at the 2006 NZ Comedy Awards held in Auckland last night.

Image: Michele A'Court, who picked up Best Female Comedian for the 5th year running.Comedian Jeremy Elwood's response to government health warnings on cigarette packets has won him the Gag of the Year Award at the 2006 NZ Comedy Awards held in Auckland last night.

Image: Michele A'Court, who picked up Best Female Comedian for the 5th year running.More than 120 comedians and supporters attended the black-tie ceremony at the Classic, including a large contingent from Wellington. A total of 16 awards were presented.

Elwood's prize winning gag suggests that the Health Department isn't going far enough with graphic pictures of mouth cancer on tobacco products, and that the same philosophy should be applied to show the ultimate effect of other products, including boxes of chamomile tea picturing "an old woman dying alone with her cats".

Other big winners at the Sunday night awards were Brendhan Lovegrove, voted NZ's Best Male Comedian now that he's back in NZ after a stint working in the UK; and Michele A'Court who picked up Best Female Comedian for the 5th consecutive year.

The Kevin Smith Memorial Cup for Best Artist Achievement went to Rhys Darby for his work in the UK and USA on stage, radio and television.

Double winner on the night was Dai Henwood, taking home Best Comedy Performance on NZ TV for his work on C4's Insert Video Here, and also the award for being the MC other comedians most like to work with live on stage.

Another double winner was Sam Wills, winning both Best Show and Best Show Concept - proving that he not only had a bloody good idea for a show, but also managed to pull it off with Boy With Tape On His Face. Sam debuted this show a couple of months ago and will bring a full season of the show to the NZ International Comedy Festival in May 2007.

The awards aren't just for comedians - those who support the industry also receive honours, including National Radio, which was acknowledged for the many opportunities it provides comedians to showcase their work; and The Classic, which was chosen by NZ comedians as their favourite venue to work in.

And at least one trophy is heading overseas - Kiwi comics' favourite comedian of the year was Phil Nicol from Canada who brought his show Nearly Gay to Auckland and Wellington this year.

The Awards, which are voted on by stand-up comedians and industry experts from all over the country, were presented at a Bollywood-themed black-tie event sponsored by the NZ Comedy Guild and the Classic comedy club, in association with Kato Foods, First Scene Costume and Props Hire and Spit Roast Catering.

Awards prizes were provided by 95bFM, Heritage Hotels, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, Jansen Professional Audio & Lighting, Concrete Creative, Dancing Water wines, Phantom Bill Stickers, citymix magazine, Borders, the NZ Listener, Penguin Books NZ, and the NZ International Comedy Festival.

Here's the full list of 2006 Comedy Award winners:

Borders Best Newcomer Award
Jim Brown

Phantom Bill Stickers Best Show Concept
Sam Wills - Boy WithTape On His Face

Concrete Best Show
Winner - Sam Wills - Boy With Tape On His Face

Best Comedy Venue
The Classic

Best Media Support
National Radio

Best International Guest
Phil Nicol (Canada)

Best Industry Friend
Andre King

NZ Listener Award for Best Comedy Performance on NZ TV
Dai Henwood - Insert Video Here

Penguin Books Most Improved Comedian
Jamie Bowen

95bFM Gag of the Year
Jeremy Elwood, "Cigarette Warnings"

The Green Room Award
Grant Lobban

Jansen Best MC
Dai Henwood

Lush/Heritage Hotels/citymix Award for Best Male Comedian
Brendhan Lovegrove

Lush/Heritage Hotels/citymix Award for Best Female Comedian
Michele A'Court

The Kevin Smith Memorial Cup for Best Artist Achievement
Rhys Darby