Episode 1 (Shortland Street)

Episode 1 of Shortland Street premiered on 25 May 1992 on Television New Zealand. It marked the beginning of New Zealand's longest-running drama series and introduced viewers to the core characters and setting of the fictional Shortland Street Hospital in Auckland. The initial episode established the central themes of the show, including workplace relationships, medical emergencies, and personal dramas. Key characters introduced in the first episode included Dr. Hone Ropata (Temuera Morrison), nurse Carrie Burton (Lisa Crittenden), and receptionist Marj Neilson (Elizabeth McRae). The episode primarily focused on the day-to-day operations of the clinic and the interplay between the medical staff, setting the foundation for the storylines that would follow. The first episode was crucial in establishing the show's popularity and its enduring presence on New Zealand television.