Robert's hero Huru MY SPECIAL GIFT FOR DAD

The pair embarked on an emotional journey that honoured the radio star's late mother and fulfilled his father’s dream

- Donna Fleming

Robert Rakete and his dad Huru have always been close. A shared love of music has drawn them together since Robert was a child and they’ve always enjoyed just hanging out with each other.

This year, they’ve strengthened their bond even further by going on the iconic TranzAlpine rail trip – a journey that has special meaning for Robert’s dad.

“It was just amazing. The most incredible views and to do it with my dad… it was really special,” says The Breeze radio host.

For train-mad Huru, 74, the two-day trip from Christchurch to the West Coast and back again was bittersweet. He was delighted to do it with Robert but sad that he never got to enjoy the spectacular South Island scenery with his beloved wife Diane, who sadly died in August 2017.

“She kept saying, ‘We’ll do it when I retire,’ but she had a stroke at work just before she was due to retire,” shares Huru, who’d already stepped down from his job teaching people to drive heavy machinery like bulldozers.

“Robert had asked me last year what I wanted for Christmas and I said, ‘Just a hug.’ And then three days later he tells me we’re going on the TranzAlpine.”