Mortimer’s Patch

1 9 8 0 – 1 9 8 1 (New Zealand)
14 x 50 minute episodes
1 9 8 4 (New Zealand)
7 x 50 minute episodes

Premiering on 19 August 1980, this TVNZ production was New Zealand’s very first home-grown police drama, providing a distinct local alternative to the flood of British and American cop shows dominating television screens at the time. The series was an instant, massive ratings success.

The series followed Detective Sergeant Doug Mortimer (Terence Cooper), a seasoned city detective who decided to leave the high-stress urban grind and return to his rural roots, taking charge of policing in the sleepy (fictional) small town of Cobham.

Unexpectedly, Mortimer found himself battling a surprisingly relentless wave of small-town crime, including murder, arson, fraud, and missing persons cases, with a small team of local officers who knew everyone in town by name, valued community trust, and focused on de-escalation and empathy over force.

Mortimer’s right-hand man was Sergeant Bob Storey (Don Selwyn). Storey being Māori was historically significant at a time when prime-time television in New Zealand only occasionally tackled indigenous issues.

Constable Dave Gilchrist (Sean Duffy) was a young, energetic local officer.

When the series returned in 1984, the team was joined by new recruit Lois Higgs (Judy McIntosh), who was sent to Cobham for training, adding a fresh dynamic to the male-dominated station.

The show was filmed entirely on location in and around the real town of Helensville, just north of Auckland, which provided the perfect backdrop of gravel roads, stock trucks, green hills, and local pubs.

Det Sgt Doug Mortimer
Terence Cooper
Sgt Bob Storey
Don Selwyn
Constable Dave Gilchrist
Sean Duffy
Sparkey
Bruce Allpress
Constable Lois Higgs
Judy McIntosh