Shortland Street - First Episode
1992 9m Television
- Drama
- Soap Opera
- Captioned
The first episode of Shortland Street starts with a pregnant woman being rushed to the clinic after an accident. But the doctors are all missing. Visitor Hone Ropata (Temuera Morrison), who is soon to join the team at the clinic, makes the call to deliver the baby. Head nurse Carrie Burton (Lisa Crittenden) is not amused, and pronounces that Dr Ropata is no longer in Guatemala (see opening clip, if you can't wait for this legendary moment). This debut episode of the five night a week soap aired on 25 May 1992. It would go on to become New Zealand's longest-running TV drama. Read more about the show's birth here.
Key Cast & Crew
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Shortland Street's main cast from 1992, the show's first year on air. Back Row: Doctor Chris Warner (Michael Galvin), Nurse Steve Mills (Andrew Robertt), Doctor Hone Ropata (Temuera Morrison), Nurse Alison Raynor (Danielle Cormack), Guy Warner (Craig Parker). Middle: Jenny Harrison (Maggie Harper), Doctor Meredith Fleming (Stephanie Wilkin), Nurse Jacki Manu (Nancy Brunning), Shortland Street Director Michael McKenna (Paul Gittins), Kirsty Knight (Angela Marie Dotchin), Nurse Carrie Burton (Lisa Crittenden), Marj Neilson (Elizabeth McRae), Paradmedic Sam Aleni (Rene Naufahu). Front: Nick Harrison (Karl Burnett), Stuart Neilson (Martin Henderson), Gina Rossi (Jo Davison).
Photo courtesy of South Pacific Pictures

A scene from the early days of Shortland Street: From left, Michael Galvin as Doctor Chris Warner, Lisa Crittenden as Nurse Carrie Burton and Temuera Morrison as Doctor Hone Ropata.
Photo courtesy of South Pacific Pictures












































