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Season guide

Shortland Street: Season 5

250 episodes Premiered Jan 1, 1996 Updated Sep 25, 2026
Previously on Shortland Street

Season 5 Lore Primer

Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.

  • ⚡ Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Shortland Street Season 4.
  • ⚡ Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
  • ⚡ Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
  • ⚡ Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
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Season 5 Episodes

Episode Guide

🛡️ SPOILER SHIELD

Season 5 Progress Shield

Future titles & synopses blurred. Tap "Reveal" on any card to peek.
Binge Efficiency Engine

Season 5: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

99%
Mytharc (3): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (247): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
S5·E1 Mytharc

Episode 921

Jan 1, 1996 · 30 min

The new year brings heartache for Lionel. James throws caution to the wind. Is Harry being set up for a fall?

S5·E2 Core

Episode 922

Jan 2, 1996 · 30 min

Harry has a new mentor - Greg. Chris is asked to rebuild a man. Johnny's past comes a knockin on his door.

S5·E3 Core

Episode 923

Jan 3, 1996 · 30 min

Grace makes the ultimate sacrifice for Lionel. Carla goes in to bat for Ellen. Nick angsts over his manhood.

S5·E4 Core

Episode 924

Jan 4, 1996 · 30 min

Emily's love life is exposed. Nick decides to take a cut back. Grace is surprised by her feelings for Lionel.

S5·E5 Core

Episode 925

Jan 5, 1996 · 30 min

Harry makes an enemy. Emily confides in Chris. Marj seeks plastic surgery.

S5·E6 Core

Episode 926

Jan 8, 1996 · 30 min

Rangi's past catches up with him. Emily decides to compromise her principles. Marj's concern backfires.

S5·E7 Core

Episode 927

Jan 9, 1996 · 30 min

Rangi has to put up or shut up. Julia has to pay up or lose out. Nick makes Harry an offer he dare not refuse.

S5·E8 Core

Episode 928

Jan 10, 1996 · 30 min

Wai steps up the pressure on Rangi. Carla makes the new doctor very welcome. Julia's double-dealed by Dominique.

S5·E9 Core

Episode 929

Jan 11, 1996 · 30 min

Grace faces the inquisition. Emily has doubts about her new romance. Sam discovers unexpected guests.

S5·E10 Core

Episode 930

Jan 12, 1996 · 30 min

Nick and Harry rise to great heights. Marj gets too caught up in her work. Grace can't deny her feelings for Lionel.

S5·E11 Core

Episode 931

Jan 15, 1996 · 30 min

Nick finds heroism pays. Finlay comes under the microscope. Rachel's tolerance is stretched thin.

S5·E12 Core

Episode 932

Jan 16, 1996 · 30 min

Kirsty fights for her man. Finlay battles gossip. Ellen faces a dilemma - will she lose Minnie forever?

S5·E13 Core

Episode 933

Jan 17, 1996 · 30 min

Nick wins business but loses friends. Ellen is pressured to cut the cord. Finlay stands accused.

S5·E14 Core

Episode 934

Jan 18, 1996 · 30 min

Finlay's livelihood is threatened. Emily gets a virtual invitation. Nick is caught out - on camera.

S5·E15 Core

Episode 935

Jan 19, 1996 · 30 min

Nick is exposed as a consumer fraud. Emily finds reality falls short. Finlay reaches crisis point.

S5·E16 Core

Episode 936

Jan 22, 1996 · 30 min

Tiffany turns the tables on Chris. Emily learns the price of health. Grace flees from Lionel.

S5·E17 Core

Episode 937

Jan 23, 1996 · 30 min

Emily can't say no to Tiffany. Grace treads on a few toes. Johnny makes Jenny a surprisingly generous offer.

S5·E19 Core

Episode 939

Jan 25, 1996 · 30 min

Caroline resorts to desperate measures in the name of charity. Jenny faces her fears. Tiffany is caught out.

S5·E20 Core

Episode 940

Jan 26, 1996 · 30 min

Rangi resists temptation. Tiff makes a grand gesture. Minnie's dream date turns sour.

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