Oscar Kightley

Oscar Kightley was born in Samoa and emigrated to New Zealand with his mother when he was four years old. Kightley first recognised his ability to make people laugh when he was a school boy, and developed his skills in humour and English (but not maths!).

Following a journalism cadetship at The Auckland Star, Kightley moved into working in radio and television. He begun behind the scenes and then moved to a presenting role with Life in The Fridge, based in Christchurch.

Kightley co-founded Pacific Underground and the Island Players theatre company.

His plays include A Frigate Bird Sings (which he co-wrote with fellow Naked Samoan, Dave Fane), Dawn Raids, Island Girls, and Niu Sila co-written with Dave Armstrong.

He has worked as a performer and writer for a number of television shows including Skitz, Telly Laughs, The Panel, and as part of TV3's rugby coverage. 

Kightley and The Naked Samoans, have taken their anarchic brand of comedy around New Zealand and even to Scotland.

Kightley co-wrote and took a lead role in the movie Sione's Wedding, which was a popular hit in 2006 in New Zealand and Australia.

Kightley is currently working with the Naked Samoans and Firehorse Films on bro'Town, which enters its fifth series in 2008.

A 2006 Arts Foundation Laureate Award winner and Qantas award winning journalist, Kightley also won the 1998 Bruce Mason Playwright Award.