Shortland Street - First Episode

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)

Key Cast & Crew

Michael Galvin

As: Doctor Chris Warner

Caterina De Nave

Producer

Temuera Morrison

As: Doctor Hone Ropata

Danielle Cormack

As: Nurse Alison Raynor

Brian Lennane

Director

Lisa Crittenden

As: Director of Nursing Carrie Burton