NZ On Air 30th Birthday - Shortland Street

Getting its start thanks to three years of NZ On Air funding, ‘Shorty Street’ has grown to become not only a commercial success, but an important training ground for many actors, writers and crew. Generations have grown up watching storylines and characters they can relate to. In this interview to celebrate NZ On Air's 30th birthday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern describes the impact of the show, and its importance to New Zealand culture. Actor John 'Lionel Skeggins' Leigh recalls the early days of working on the street, and the many adventures his character faced.

Shortland Street for me, that was the height of television drama when I was a young person. Everyone watched it.

– Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

Key Cast & Crew

Karl Burnett

As: Nick Harrison

John Leigh

Subject

Zara Potts

Director, Interviewer

Kathryn Quirk

Producer

Stephanie Hopkins

Producer

Angela Bloomfield

As: Rachel McKenna