A group of young patients at Starship Children’s hospital were treated to a performance by the Wiggles, including their newest – and first Kiwi – member, “Brown Wiggle” Robert Rakete.
About 50 children gathered in the hospital’s atrium to watch the performance of the group’s famous song’s, including radio personality Rakete’s debut number, Kia pai tou Ra, Maori for have a good day.
Rakete said he was proud to be making a difference in kids lives and to help such an important community organisation do its job.
“I have been here through the years with my own kiddies,” he said.
“They do such an amazing job – the staff are incredible, the people are incredible, just to look out and see these kiddies smiling that makes it all worthwhile.”
And the hospital was grateful for the performance of the much-loved group whose DVDs have an important role in keeping the children occupied during their stay in the hospital.
“To see them in the flesh today was hugely exciting,” the hospital’s nurse adviser Cath Byrne said.
“The Wiggles are such natural performers. They had the children laughing and singing along. It was a real high point in their day.”
Rakete first became involved with the group known for hits such as Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car, when Robert Scott, his co-host on the on The Breeze breakfast show, suggested he join them on stage during their Auckland show last year.
While originally said on-air as a joke, Anthony Field – the only remaining original member of the group – was keen to have Rakete on board, and on stage.
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– Stuff
