Top Spot: comedian Janaye Henry

Janaye Henry (Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa) is a comedian and a finalist for this year’s Billy T Award. 

I spend a lot of time in Wellington for work, but I often go there for holidays as well because I love the city. Right now when everyone is desperate for international travel, visiting Wellington feels like going overseas. It’s so good. I’m a regular at BATS Theatre. I was a student in Wellington and when I was living there I’d watch every single show that was on and be hanging out for new ones to start. 

I love Maranui Café out at Lyall Bay. It’s not really a secret anymore as it’s become so well known, but it’s my favourite spot to eat a bagel. I also spend a lot of time in Newtown because that’s where my friends are. Newtown feels like it’s mostly people in their 20s and 30s; it’s a bit of a youth mecca.

Reported by Jo Percival for our Autumn 2022 issue