From Safari Tours to Stand-Up: An Asian Comedian's Cross-Continental Journey

Born and raised in China, Summer never imagined she’d one day be standing in front of a crowd in New Zealand, cracking jokes about her mother’s career as a gynaecologist or her own journey learning English from Backstreet Boys songs. But that’s exactly where she is now: a rising star in New Zealand’s comedy circuit with a refreshingly global perspective.

“I have a sense of self-awareness, I think I'm quite funny,” Summer said with a laugh during the interview. “My friends said I am funny. I just never imagined doing it on stage—until the lockdown.”

Like many creative breakthroughs born of the pandemic, Summer’s comedy journey began during the COVID-19 lockdowns. With the world on pause, she found herself binge-watching stand-up specials and reflecting on her own life.

“I wrote a few jokes on my phone—just for fun,” she said. That fun quickly turned into her first open mic when, post-lockdown, she spotted a poster at a Tauranga pub promoting a local comedy night. With a little nudge (and maybe a push) from her partner, she took the stage. “I kept telling my partner, ‘Don’t push me to get on stage.’ But he knows me so well—he knew I secretly wanted to be pushed."

Then she found herself on stage that night, opening the second half of the show.

“I read from my phone. But some of the lines I already memorised. I was nervous. But the crowd laughed. The audience loved it. I even won best comedian of the night—and a free pizza,” she chuckled.

That moment lit a fire. Encouraged by the warm reception and fuelled by the desire to connect, Summer began performing more. Within a year, she was competing in the prestigious Raw Comedy Quest in Auckland, where she placed third in the 2022 finals—a rare feat for someone still relatively new to the scene and performing in a second language.

Before the Spotlight: Safari in Kenya

But Summer’s journey to New Zealand wasn’t linear. Before moving to Aotearoa, she lived and worked in Kenya for five years in the safari tourism industry. Her relocation there came after an unexpected career pivot from working at a high-pressure public relations and advertising company in China—where she coordinated a World Cup campaign for Coca-Cola and facilitated a Kenyan celebrity’s roadshow visit to China.

Summer was involved in that project, handling coordination and logistics to make it happen. But through her work with Kenyan networks, she ended up packing her bags and heading to the African continent. She narrated, “I met a safari business owner in Kenya during that campaign and asked, half-joking, if he could take me with him. He said yes."

In Kenya, Summer found excitement, a sense of connection—and, eventually, fear.

In 2013, a terrorist attack at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall, just kilometres from her workplace, deeply shook her. Concerned for her safety, her parents urged her to return to China.

But by then, Kenya had already changed her. She began searching for a place that offered both safety and natural beauty. After considering her options, she chose New Zealand for its stunning landscapes, peaceful environment, and quality of life. She arrived in Hamilton in 2015 as an international student in Hamilton.

Comedy as Cultural Bridge

Now based in Auckland, Summer is one of the few Asian female comedians making waves in a largely Eurocentric comedy landscape. She’s also part of a growing collective of immigrant comedians who saw a need for spaces that reflect the full diversity of Aotearoa.

"When we perform for general Kiwi audiences, sometimes the jokes don’t land because of cultural context,” she said. “So, we created our own space. Our shows are by immigrants, for immigrants—but we also welcome everyone who wants to laugh with us.”

Her material spans everything from casual racism and cultural misunderstandings to family pressure and language barriers—all served with sharp wit and lived honesty. She’s been heckled, misheard, and underestimated, but she’s learned to clap back with grace—and sometimes, a metal water bottle in hand for post-show safety precautions.

“Comedy can be scary, especially for Asian women,” she admitted. “But it’s worth it. We’re not just telling jokes. We’re telling our stories.”

A Little Chiwi's Adventure

Summer’s upcoming solo show, A Little Chiwi’s Adventure, premieres at the Best Mayo NZ International Comedy Festival in Auckland—a bold and cheeky take on what it means to straddle cultures, languages, and expectations.

It's a rollercoaster ride through Summer’s life as a Chinese immigrant becoming a “Chiwi,” (Chinese-Kiwi) where she hilariously dissects everything from dodging casual racism to reconciling her Kiwi lifestyle while making sense of her own roots.

“It’s about my life between worlds—between China, Kenya, and New Zealand,” she said. “And all the funny, awkward, and meaningful moments in between.”

She’s not the only one blazing this trail. Summer and fellow comedian Annie Guo, who is also a first-generation Chinese immigrant in Aotearoa—often mistaken for each other—joke that any event casting them together “can’t be racist” because they’ve finally been seen as two different people. Both women were Raw Comedy Quest finalists, and they now lead ImmHaHagrants, an award-winning immigrant comedy show, and co-founded Youshow Comedy Club to grow New Zealand’s Chinese stand-up scene.

To aspiring Asian comedians, her advice is simple: “Don’t overthink it. Try it at least three times. The world needs your voice—your jokes, your stories. And if it doesn’t work, at least you’ll walk away with a funny story of your own.”

Summer Xia may not have dreamed of being a comedian, but through a series of unexpected turns—from China to Kenya to New Zealand—she’s found her voice and a stage to call her own.

Catch Summer Xia live at Q Theatre in Auckland on May 22 and 23 at 6:30 PM. Annie Guo will take the stage at the same venue on May 20, 21, and 24. For show updates and behind-the-scenes laughs, follow them on Instagram at @immhahagrants.

-Asia Media Centre