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2007 Best Male comedian at the New Zealand Comedy Festival, Simon’s also been a nominee for the Billy T award. With over a decade of experience, he’s made four Pulp Comedy appearances and has over 300 performances in Britain behind him. And if you can survive there, you can survive anywhere. Interested in current affairs, Simon once helped ‘funny up’ a speech for Bill Clinton and has hosted many events ranging from the New Zealand Fire-fighters annual gathering to on-board live entertainment on a flight from Sydney to Queenstown. He’s co presented kids TV, excels at Theatre sports and is at home as an entertainer or MC as he is at making a large group of people laugh all at once.

Testimonials

• "Simon was second to none in his role as Mr Helpful at my client’s conference after-function. It was an unpredictable role to play and Simon was professional and effective throughout his character. Simon significantly contributed to the planning of the execution of his character which also added great value."

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• -Roxana .99

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• We have had feedback that Simon is the best MC we have had – and these awards have been going for 22 years now. Simon was professional but flexible and relaxed. He was incredibly funny and edgy but never inappropriate. He knows how to walk that fine line which is essential in a business environment. Except for their laughter the crowd was absolutely silent when Simon was doing his thing – they didn’t want to miss a word...I thoroughly recommend Simon for corporate events – and we look forward to using him again in the future."

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• - Export New Zealand Bay of Plenty

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• “The smiles are still beaming this morning from such a fantastic night last night! Please accept our utmost appreciation for all the effort that was put in for such a hilarious night. It really was outstanding and hence I have attached our Best Buzz night award. You really did put on a great night that is being talked about constantly in the office.”

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• - FCM Travel Solutions

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• “Simon’s decade on the comedy circuit (including extensive work in the UK and Europe) really shows. He was relaxed, comfortable on stage, friendly and highly appreciative of the audience, on the last night of his week long stretch at the 'Fran. Proving that our New Zealand comics are every bit as good as those foreign buggers, eh.”

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• - San Francisco Bathhouse

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• “A keen observer of human behaviour, he re-enacts and embellishes the reactions of kids, parents and other interesting characters, with excellent comic timing and the skill of a seasoned actor. This intelligent gem is worth venturing out in the cold for.”

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• - NZ International Comedy Festival

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• “A non stop rollercoaster ride through topics as varied as old people and their make-up, the etiquette of how to cope when confronted by a fart cloud on Queen Street, his life as a mascot down in Dunedin to community radio down southland way too. McKinney has a way of leading you down a path whose final destination you don't quite know but you're sure to have a good time on the way. McKinney is a masterful comedian and I'd thoroughly recommend you catching him.”

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• - Lumiere

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• “His impressions are the highlight. From real people like the lovely old digger who runs Dunedin radio station 4XD, or his man-hating high school history teacher Mrs X, to Star Wars characters like Yoda, Han Solo and, best of all, his posh and creepy Obi-Wan who mixes up his light sabre with sex toys. His best is saved for last when he mimics the late - night taxi dispatch person whom he describes as "an angry, irate lady with a small, tight mouth.”

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• -New Zealand Herald

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