Love it or hate it, Shorty Street is as Kiwi as pavlova, kiwifruit, the All Blacks and No8 fencing wire all rolled into one. In fact, I suspect all of those have featured in it at some point.
Even New Zealanders who scoff at our iconic medical drama will know exactly what you are talking about if you utter the immortal words, "You are not in Guatemala now, Dr Ropata!" Nobody has totally escaped its influence.
I remember watching the first episode in 1992. I quickly weaned myself off Neighbours and became an unashamed Shortland Street addict. I followed the continuing saga of Dr Chris Warner's love life, watched the likes of Nick, Rachael and Stuart grow up on screen and thanked my lucky stars it was so far removed from reality.
Who would ever want to be admitted to a hospital where staff are more focused on romantic dalliances, family dramas and serial killers than on the patients?
But the programme has also made the effort to keep abreast of social issues - from drugs, Aids, and family violence to teen pregnancy and gay and lesbian relationships - Dr Meredith Baxter was at it long before Maya and Nicole were on the scene.
