Robert Rakete

Robert Rakete is a New Zealand radio personality and television presenter who has occasionally appeared as a special guest during various Wiggles concerts. He has also been featured as a guest star on the songs "Have a Good Day", "Ukulele Rock", and "The ABC New Zealand Alphabet Song" (all of which he wrote or co-wrote), played several guest characters in the second series of Ready, Steady, Wiggle!, and appeared in The Wiggles' World episode "Stinky Cheese Day!". Rakete was first invited to perform on-stage with the Wiggles after a discussion with Anthony Field following a casual reference to the band during a broadcast while the group was in New Zealand for their 2013 Ready, Steady, Wiggle! tour.

Rakete and the Wiggles in a promotional picture for Ready, Steady, Wiggle!.

Rakete has served as a host for radio station The Breeze's breakfast program since 2006. He has also appeared in or hosted various other television programs include Ready to Roll, TVNZ's CV, Clash of the Codes, What Now?, and the 2018 series of the New Zealand version of Dancing with the Stars, and served as the first ever host of Mai FM's breakfast program when the station originally launched in 1992.

Appearances and Character Roles in Ready Steady Wiggle!

Rakete performing live during the We're All Fruit Salad! tour.

• Willy Fixit
• Episode 5
• Cowboy in "Cowboy Anthony" and "Miss Lucy Had a Ducky"
• Bertie Birdman
• Senator Soul
• Dr. Rock
• Phil Fitness

Trivia

• Rakete has worn a brown skivvy in all of his guest star appearances to date. The sole exception to this is the New Zealand leg of We're All Fruit Salad! tour, where he wore a chartreuse skivvy with white stripes on both the shirt and pants. The chartreuse skivvy was partially decorated by students of the Mayfield Primary School in Otara, Auckland, which was Rakete's former school.
• There were plans for Rakete to appear as the bass player during the New Zealand leg of the OG Wiggles Reunion Tour. Ultimately, Nick Webb ended up in the role of bassist while Rakete made a brief appearance during the Auckland show.

References

Characters Main Characters The Wiggles (current) Anthony Wiggle (since 1991) • Lachy Wiggle (since 2013) • Tsehay Wiggle (since 2021) • Simon Wiggle (since 2013) The Wiggles (secondary) Evie Wiggle (since 2021) • Lucia Wiggle (since 2022) • Caterina Wiggle (since 2022) • John Wiggle (since 2021) The Wiggles (former) Murray Wiggle (1991-2012) • Jeff Wiggle (1991-2012) • Greg Wiggle (1991-2006; 2012) • Phillip Wiggle (1991) • Sam Wiggle (2006-2012) • Emma Wiggle (2013-2021) • Kelly Wiggle (secondary; 2021-2022) The Wiggly Friends Dorothy the Dinosaur (since 1991) • Henry the Octopus (since 1992) • Captain Feathersword (since 1993) • Wags the Dog (since 1995) • Shirley Shawn the Unicorn (since 2019) Supporting Characters Officer Beaples (1997-2000, 2006, 2013-present) • Bok the Hand Puppet (since 2021) • Paloma the Mermaid (since 2021) Minor Characters Flora Door (1999-2000, 2021) • Hot-Pots The Oven (1999-2006, 2023) • Foodman (1998, 2004, 2009, 2023) • Foodgirl (2023) • Fiona The Circus Leader (2010) • The Little Wiggles (1997, 1999, 2005-2006, 2015, 2017, 2020) • Magdalena the Mermaid (2002, 2006, 2020) • Professor Singalottasonga (1999, 2005-2006) • Ringo the Ringmaster (2009-2012) • Santa Claus (since 1997) • The Wagettes (1997-1999, 2003) • Wally the Great (1997) • The Wiggly Dancers (since 2000) Selected Guest Stars Christine Anu (2000, 2016) • Morgan Crowley (2001, 2017) • Lee Hawkins (2014) • Paul the Cook (Paul Hester) (1998) • The Irwins - Steve, Terri, Bindi and Robert (2002, 2017, 2024) • Kylie Minogue (2009, 2017) • Robert Rakete (2014-2015, 2021) • Alfonso Rinaldi (2002-2006, 2012) • Al Roker (2011) • Leo Sayer (2008) • Daryl Somers (2011) • Ross Wilson (2003, 2017)