Ralph Hilaga
Stand-up, improv and sketch comedian based in Wellington, New Zealand.
About Ralph
Ralph Hilaga is a comedian, actor, writer, producer, and improv teacher based in Wellington. Formerly a dramatic actor since his teenage years, he transitioned into comedy in 2019 and has since spread his work across stand-up, improv and sketch comedy. He has trained at the iO Theatre in Chicago, the Improv Conspiracy in Melbourne, and Basejump Comedy in Wellington where he is also a teacher.
He is the winner of Wellington Raw Comedy Quest 2026 (grand national final results pending), and his comedy group Catfish Trifecta was nominated for Best Show and Best Innovation at the 2025 Wellington Comedy Awards.
Outside of comedy, he is also a house and techno DJ performing under the alias REYNEIL.
Portfolio
Shows and achievements
Improv
Solovivor - NZ Fringe Festival 2025
D.E.I’s (Mo and Ralph) - NZ Improv Festival 2025
iO Festival Chicago (Mo and Ralph) - 2024
Redemption with Ginge and Minge - NZ Improv Festival 2025 and NZ International Comedy Festival 2026
Winner - Late Night Knife Fight - 2023 and 2024
Stand up
Winner - Wellington Raw Comedy Quest 2026
Grand Finalist - National Raw Comedy Quest 2026 (results pending)
Dirty Rice- - NZ Fringe Festival 2026
Comedians getting tattooed - NZ Fringe Festival 2026
Finalist - Wellington Raw Comedy Quest 2025
Sketch and Devised
Catfish Trifecta - Regular Show - 2024-2026
The Cuck Chair by Catfish Trifecta -
NZ Fringe Festival 2026
Muunboot (podcast) - 2023-2024
Wet Soup - 2022-2023
Teaching
Basejump Comedy - 2024-present
Specialist in Chicago-style long form improv
