Hone Ropata
Encyclopedia
Hone Ropata was a fictional character on the New Zealand
soap opera
Shortland Street
and was part of the original cast. He was portrayed by Temuera Morrison
who after the role went on to several Hollywood roles. The character first appeared from 1992 to 1995 before returning in a six week stint in 2008 to commemorate the shows 4000th episode.
would be reprising his role of Hone after 13 years to mark the shows 4000th episode. Morrison later joked that cast members Michael Galvin (Chris Warner
), Craig Parker
(Guy Warner
) and producer Jason Daniel got him drunk and convinced him to return. He agreed to return on condition that Hone could ride a Harley Davidson Motorbike and could date a "hot" woman.
. As soon as Hone arrived a pregnant teen about to give birth was bought in and Hone performed an unorthodox procedure to save her. His way of handling the case caused him to clash with Carrie Burton
(Lisa Crittenden
) and Meredith Fleming
(Stephanie Wilkin). Soon after he arrived his fiance Claire arrived. They seemed to get on but she indulged in numerous affairs with Chris Warner
(Michael Galvin) amongst others and Hone dumped her.
Meredith had a son called Andrew (Ezra Woods) who caused trouble around the street but looked up to Hone as a father figure. Hone managed to calm him down though and he and Meredith embarked on a relationship. The two became very close but disagreed on several things and in 1993 Meredith dumped Hone but wanted to remain friends. Hone later moved in with Jenny
(Maggie Harper) and then with Chris. Hone appeared on a talk show opposite fellow doctor Te Aniwa Ryan (Moana Maniapoto-Jackson). Soon afterwards he started to get stalked, he traced the calls to a house which turned out to be that of Te Aniwas. It turned out she disagreed with his views but they talked it over and soon started dating.
In 1994 Hone began a relationship with the daughter of primary share holder of the clinic Noel Sturgess' (Martyn Sanderson
) daughter Hillary (Susan Brady
), causing his relationship with Te Aniwa to end. But when Hillary attempted a takeover of the clinic, Hone dumped her. Hone soon disappeared and returned having helped his friend sneak into the country, Michael
(Paul Gittins
) fired him but soon rehired him.
In 1994, Hones nephew Manny (Albert Belz) came to stay at Ferndale. He went around causing embarrassment for Hone and even landed Hone with a murder charge. But in 1995 Hone was found not guilty and started dating his lawyer Caitlin (Sarah Smuts-Kennedy). But it turned out Caitlin was married. But in the end Caitlin left her husband for Hone. Hone then announced that he and Caitlin were going to the East Coast to set up a clinic. With that, Hone left Shortland Street.
(Faye Smythe
). She falls smitten with him and they start a steamy affair. After sparring with TK Samuels
(Benjamin Mitchell), the staff start to realize Hone is psychologically ill and he finally reveals the torment he had to watch with Caitlin being raped and killed before him. After realizing how dangerous he is, he breaks it off with Tania and leaves New Zealand to work in Australia.
's line to him in the first episode gained pop culture significance.
The character was considered a "heart throb".
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Shortland Street
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
and was part of the original cast. He was portrayed by Temuera Morrison
Temuera Morrison
Temuera Derek Morrison is a New Zealand-born actor. He has become one of the country's most famous stars for his roles as the abusive Jake "the Muss" Heke in 1994's Once Were Warriors and as bounty hunter Jango Fett and the Clone Troopers in the Star Wars series...
who after the role went on to several Hollywood roles. The character first appeared from 1992 to 1995 before returning in a six week stint in 2008 to commemorate the shows 4000th episode.
Return
It was announced in March 2008 that Temuera MorrisonTemuera Morrison
Temuera Derek Morrison is a New Zealand-born actor. He has become one of the country's most famous stars for his roles as the abusive Jake "the Muss" Heke in 1994's Once Were Warriors and as bounty hunter Jango Fett and the Clone Troopers in the Star Wars series...
would be reprising his role of Hone after 13 years to mark the shows 4000th episode. Morrison later joked that cast members Michael Galvin (Chris Warner
Chris Warner
Dr. Christopher "Chris" Warner is a fictional character and current main protagonist on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He is portrayed by Michael Galvin. He is the only original character to still be on the show....
), Craig Parker
Craig Parker
Craig Parker is a New Zealand actor who was based in the United Kingdom for some time, but now resides in New Zealand. His grandfather moved from Edinburgh, Scotland to Fiji when he was stationed during his years of service in the British Army...
(Guy Warner
Guy Warner
Guy Warner is a fictional character in the long running New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Craig Parker in a guest role in 1992 before returning as core cast from 1993 to 1996...
) and producer Jason Daniel got him drunk and convinced him to return. He agreed to return on condition that Hone could ride a Harley Davidson Motorbike and could date a "hot" woman.
Storylines
1992-1995
The very first episode of Shortland Street that aired on 25 May 1992 focused on the character of Hone. Hone had been hired by a small clinic called Shortland Street after a stint in GuatemalaGuatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
. As soon as Hone arrived a pregnant teen about to give birth was bought in and Hone performed an unorthodox procedure to save her. His way of handling the case caused him to clash with Carrie Burton
Carrie Burton
Carrie Kennedy was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Lisa Crittenden and was part of the original cast.-1992:...
(Lisa Crittenden
Lisa Crittenden
Lisa Crittenden is an Australian actress, noted for her roles in various television series, such as The Restless Years , The Sullivans , Prisoner , Sons and Daughters and the New Zealand produced Shortland Street .She also played a lead role in mini-series Whose Baby? and...
) and Meredith Fleming
Meredith Fleming
Dr. Meredith Fleming was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portaryed by Stephanie Wilkin. She was part of original cast and the shows first lesbian relationship.-1992-1993:...
(Stephanie Wilkin). Soon after he arrived his fiance Claire arrived. They seemed to get on but she indulged in numerous affairs with Chris Warner
Chris Warner
Dr. Christopher "Chris" Warner is a fictional character and current main protagonist on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He is portrayed by Michael Galvin. He is the only original character to still be on the show....
(Michael Galvin) amongst others and Hone dumped her.
Meredith had a son called Andrew (Ezra Woods) who caused trouble around the street but looked up to Hone as a father figure. Hone managed to calm him down though and he and Meredith embarked on a relationship. The two became very close but disagreed on several things and in 1993 Meredith dumped Hone but wanted to remain friends. Hone later moved in with Jenny
Jenny Harrison (character)
Jenny Harrison was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Maggie Harper and was part of the original cast.-Creation:...
(Maggie Harper) and then with Chris. Hone appeared on a talk show opposite fellow doctor Te Aniwa Ryan (Moana Maniapoto-Jackson). Soon afterwards he started to get stalked, he traced the calls to a house which turned out to be that of Te Aniwas. It turned out she disagreed with his views but they talked it over and soon started dating.
In 1994 Hone began a relationship with the daughter of primary share holder of the clinic Noel Sturgess' (Martyn Sanderson
Martyn Sanderson
Martyn Sanderson was a New Zealand actor, filmmaker and poet.Sanderson was one of the founders of Downstage Theatre in 1964 in Wellington, with a vision of a small professional company performing challenging works in an intimate venue...
) daughter Hillary (Susan Brady
Susan Brady (actress)
Susan Brady is a New Zealand actress who has made several appearances in different shows including Shortland Street, Marlin Bay, and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys...
), causing his relationship with Te Aniwa to end. But when Hillary attempted a takeover of the clinic, Hone dumped her. Hone soon disappeared and returned having helped his friend sneak into the country, Michael
Michael McKenna
Dr. Michael McKenna is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera, Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Paul Gittins and was part of the original cast.-Creation and Casting:...
(Paul Gittins
Paul Gittins
Paul Gittins is a New Zealand actor who is best known for playing Doctor Michael McKenna in Shortland Street from 1992 to 1995 and 1998 to 1999, and he has also appeared in The End of the Golden Weather, Xena: Warrior Princess, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, City Life, The Whole of the Moon and...
) fired him but soon rehired him.
In 1994, Hones nephew Manny (Albert Belz) came to stay at Ferndale. He went around causing embarrassment for Hone and even landed Hone with a murder charge. But in 1995 Hone was found not guilty and started dating his lawyer Caitlin (Sarah Smuts-Kennedy). But it turned out Caitlin was married. But in the end Caitlin left her husband for Hone. Hone then announced that he and Caitlin were going to the East Coast to set up a clinic. With that, Hone left Shortland Street.
2008
Hone returns in June 2008 when Martha Riley (Jacque Drew) hires him to audit the hospital. He reveals to Chris that his girlfriend Caitlin was dead and that he has been working at numerous clinics throughout developing countries. Riley is impressed by Hone and hires him to replace Chris as CEO, not enjoying the job, Hone quits and pursues young nurse Tania JeffriesTania Jeffries
Tania Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Tania Jeffries is the younger sister to nurse Maia Jeffries, PA Libby Jeffries and daughter of hospital receptionist, Yvonne Jefferies...
(Faye Smythe
Faye Smythe
Faye Smythe is a New Zealand television actor, best known for her role in Shortland Street as Nurse Tania Jeffries.-Early life:...
). She falls smitten with him and they start a steamy affair. After sparring with TK Samuels
TK Samuels
Te Koha 'TK' Samuels is a fictional character in New Zealand's longest running soap opera Shortland Street, played by actor Benjamin Mitchell since early 2006.-2006-:...
(Benjamin Mitchell), the staff start to realize Hone is psychologically ill and he finally reveals the torment he had to watch with Caitlin being raped and killed before him. After realizing how dangerous he is, he breaks it off with Tania and leaves New Zealand to work in Australia.
Reception
The character was immortalized in New Zealand television history after Carrie BurtonCarrie Burton
Carrie Kennedy was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Lisa Crittenden and was part of the original cast.-1992:...
's line to him in the first episode gained pop culture significance.
The character was considered a "heart throb".