Prepare to be left in stitches at the king of Pasifika comedy’s live show in Tauranga tomorrow night.

Husband, father of three, and one half of the iconic Laughing Samoans, Tofiga Fepulea’i will be cracking smiles at the Holy Trinity Church on Saturday, November 8, at 7.30pm.

The Wellington-born comedian has been performing stand-up comedy for more than 10 years, after 13 years as part of The Laughing Samoans alongside Eteuati Ete.

His family life and Pasifika roots influence his latest tour ‘Shuuush Your Mouf’.

“I’m at the age now where you don’t really waste time mucking around with people’s opinions,” Fepulea’i said.

“The way I think now as a 50-year-old man, as a father of three, is more straight up.”

He said his show touches on his health journey, having been diagnosed with sleep apnea and taking a knee to the face from his wife when he snores.

Tofiga Fepulea'i dressed as one of his original characters for his 'Shuuush Your Mouf' tour.

“I’m on a health journey now. I was quite happy one morning when I went to weigh myself. People asked, ‘Why are you so happy?’ They thought I’d lost weight, but I’d lost my scales.”

Tauranga will have a chance to hear more personal stories from Fepulea’i’s upcoming show.

He has toured the Bay of Plenty before, but with The Laughing Samoans.

The humour is still the same, he said. The audience will see familiar characters like Uncle Sam and Auntie Tala.

Fepulea’i said humour and laughter are a Samoan’s magical powers.

“It’s part of our DNA. It doesn’t matter what you do as a Samoan - humour’s always there.

“Laughter is medicine for the soul. Samoans are always the ones laughing or making people laugh. I think that’s what I enjoy about doing what I do.

“Some people will say coming to the shows is therapeutic for them, but they don’t realise it’s therapy for me as well, being able to tell my stories and be able to laugh with everyone else.”

Fepulea’i said he knew stand-up comedy was his calling from the get-go.

“When I had the first crack of laughter at my first show in 2003, it felt like time froze. That’s when I felt comedy was my calling. That’s what I was born to do.

“If my contribution to the world is making people happy and bringing laughter, then I’m happy with that. And I want to continue doing that as long as I can.”

Tofiga’s son Rana, Tofiga Fepulea’i, and comedians Courtney Dawson and Hoani Hotene. Photo / Supplied

When Fepulea’i takes the stage, he pretends he’s sitting down for a feed with his family and they’re telling stories.

That’s how he knew he was funny, he said — telling stories with the kids at church at the back of the kitchen.

“I’m always taking myself back to that time.”

Fepulea’i said he hopes the Bay of Plenty’s Pasifika community can relate to the characters and stories he talks about in his show.

But he said, “I’m born and bred here as much as I am proud to be Samoan. I’m 100% Kiwi as well.”

Since departing from The Laughing Samoans, Fepulea’i said the real joy has been having a balance of family and work.

“Being able to plan everything around the kids’ activities at school, making sure I make the most of their major events.

“I can still tour, but it works around my kids. I want my kids to know that I want to be there as much as I can. I can only do my comedy knowing I’m happy with my family.”

Between fatherhood and his appearances on shows like Taskmaster NZ, Fepulea’i said he has performed a lot recently with the Signature Choir and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for Mana Moana - a collaborative project between Māori and Pasifika artists.

Together, they’ve sold out the Spark Arena, Michael Fowler Centre, the Sydney Opera House, and next year they’ll hit Melbourne in January.

“These are the things that complete me as an artist and as a comedian: staying connected with my family and my community. These are the projects I’m always passionate about because they keep me grounded.

“As long as I have family, I’ll never run out of material.”

Have a laugh at Tofiga Fepulea’i’s Tauranga show at Holy Trinity Church on Saturday, November 8. The show will start at 7.30pm and run until 8.45pm, with tickets costing $60 plus booking fees.

Bijou Johnson is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. A passionate writer and reader, she grew up in Tauranga and developed a love for journalism while exploring various disciplines at university. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Massey University.