We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.

Sorry – due to licensing restrictions,
this clip can't be viewed outside New Zealand.

Thankfully most of NZ On Screen's content
can be viewed from anywhere: browse and enjoy!

We're sorry, but something went wrong

Please try reloading the page

We're sorry, but your browser is unable to play this video content.

If this continues please try upgrading your browser or contact us for assistance.

We're sorry, but this video is currently unavailable on mobile.

Hero image for Shortland Street - First Episode

Shortland Street - First Episode

Television (Full Length Episode) – 1992

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

I tried to reason with him, but he just bulldozed over me and went ahead. You know the last thing I need is any more scandal.
– Chief Nurse Carrie Burton (Lisa Crittenden) describes Doctor Ropata's insistence on delivering a baby, to clinic boss Michael McKenna (Paul Gittins)

If you liked this, you might also like...

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street
Series

Shortland Street

Shortland Street is a fast-paced serial drama...

Collection
Collection image for Best of the 90s

Best of the 90s

This collection celebrates the best of 1990s television,...

Collection
Collection image for Legendary NZ TV Moments

Legendary NZ TV Moments

This collection celebrates the legendary moments that...

Collection
Collection image for The Most Legendary NZ TV Moments

The Most Legendary NZ TV Moments

Where were you when Thingee's eye popped out? This...

Collection
Collection image for The Temuera Morrison Collection

The Temuera Morrison Collection

From Rangi's Catch to Once Were Warriors: a collection...

Collection
Collection image for Top 40 NZ TV Classics

Top 40 NZ TV Classics

This Kiwi TV collection brings together 40 local TV...

Collection
Collection image for Classic TV Catchphrases

Classic TV Catchphrases

Classic moments where a few choice words become the...

Collection
Collection image for NZ On Air - 30th Birthday Collection

NZ On Air - 30th Birthday Collection

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of funding...

Collection
Collection image for 60 TV Moments: 1960 - 2020

60 TV Moments: 1960 - 2020

60 TV moments from across the decades, celebrating 60...

Collection
Collection image for The Shortland Street Collection

The Shortland Street Collection

A celebration of long-running soap Shortland Street,...

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Highlights from the first 15 years

Shortland Street - Highlights from the first 15 years

Highlights from the first 15 years

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street: Inside an Icon (25th anniversary)

Shortland Street: Inside an Icon (25th anniversary)

Documentary looking back on the show

Thumbnail image for Bloopers - Shortland Street

Bloopers - Shortland Street

Shortland Street bloopers

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - The birth of Carrie's triplets

Shortland Street - The birth of Carrie's triplets

Head nurse Carrie Burton gives birth to triplets

Thumbnail image for Keeping Up the Love Thing

Keeping Up the Love Thing

Nurse Carrie Burton sings

Thumbnail image for Happy Hour - First Episode

Happy Hour - First Episode

Temuera Morrison revisits Dr Ropata

Thumbnail image for Blind Date - Series One, Episode Three

Blind Date - Series One, Episode Three

Suzy Clarkson is one of the presenters of this show

Thumbnail image for Black Bitch

Black Bitch

More of "Not in Guatemala" actor Lisa Crittenden

Thumbnail image for NZ On Air 30th Birthday - Shortland Street

NZ On Air 30th Birthday - Shortland Street

John Leigh talks about the early days of Shortland Street

Thumbnail image for Close to Home - First Episode

Close to Home - First Episode

First episode of New Zealand's first soap

Thumbnail image for Once Were Warriors

Once Were Warriors

Doctor Ropata went on to act in this classic film

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Is It You Or Is It Me (30th anniversary song)

Shortland Street - Is It You Or Is It Me (30th anniversary song)

Shortland Street's theme music reimagined

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - 1995 Christmas cliffhanger (truck crash)

Shortland Street - 1995 Christmas cliffhanger (truck crash)

Another classic Shorty episode

Thumbnail image for Emergency - First Episode

Emergency - First Episode

A factual series set in an NZ hospital

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - The Ferndale Strangler finale

Shortland Street - The Ferndale Strangler finale

Another iconic episode

Thumbnail image for Homeward Bound - First Episode

Homeward Bound - First Episode

A less urban 90s soap

Thumbnail image for The Life and Times of Temuera Morrison - First Episode

The Life and Times of Temuera Morrison - First Episode

A reality show following Tem Morrison

Thumbnail image for Highwater

Highwater

Michael Galvin appears in this teleplay

Thumbnail image for Michael Galvin on meeting the triplets

Michael Galvin on meeting the triplets

Chris Warner gets a triple surprise

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Kirsty and Lionel's wedding

Shortland Street - Kirsty and Lionel's wedding

Another classic Shorty episode

Thumbnail image for Loose Enz - That Bread Should Be So Dear

Loose Enz - That Bread Should Be So Dear

Directed by Shortland St producer Caterina De Nave

Thumbnail image for You Make the Whole World Smile

You Make the Whole World Smile

Shortland Streeters sing

Thumbnail image for The Promise

The Promise

A real NZ health system story

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Maia and Jay’s Civil Union

Shortland Street - Maia and Jay’s Civil Union

Another noteworthy Shortland Street episode

Thumbnail image for Shipwreck - The Tragedy of the Boyd

Shipwreck - The Tragedy of the Boyd

Presented by Paul Gittins (aka Michael McKenna)

Thumbnail image for A Going Concern (short clip)

A Going Concern (short clip)

A forgotten soap that began years before Shortland Street

Thumbnail image for Amy Street

Amy Street

A portrait of a Shortland St superfan

Thumbnail image for Shark in the Park - Diversions (Series Two, Episode Four)

Shark in the Park - Diversions (Series Two, Episode Four)

Michael Galvin in an early role

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - "Not Your Penis" Moment

Shortland Street - "Not Your Penis" Moment

A Shortland Street moment that went viral

Thumbnail image for Once Were Warriors - Where Are They Now?

Once Were Warriors - Where Are They Now?

Once Were Warriors cast twenty years on

Thumbnail image for Epitaph - Fire at the Coal Face

Epitaph - Fire at the Coal Face

Paul Gittins presents a factual series about NZ history

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Tillie Potts' Birth

Shortland Street - Tillie Potts' Birth

Another dramatic Shortland Street birth