The Flight of the Conchords star, who is guest curating the
New Zealand festival, reflects on his career and the cost of compromise
Although he’s one of Wellington’s best-known pop cultural exports – as a musician, songwriter, actor and comedian – nobody makes a fuss when Bret McKenzie arrives in a central city cafe.
Fuss wouldn’t be entirely unwarranted. McKenzie’s portrayal of a particular type of socially awkward, deadpan New Zealander helped put the country’s dry humour on the map. And the
comedy duo Flight of the Conchords – in which he performs with Jemaine Clement – so enraptured
Hollywood that he could still be there if he wanted to, churning out season after season of the acclaimed TV show of the same name.