When the earth literally shatters your world, you don't need writers adding extra trauma for ratings.
Season 1 • Episode 3
LatestLen and Joycie break the abuse cycle that has Monee in its grip, while dealing with the consequences of a TV interview in which Len has said too much. Dwayne shows he’s not so hopeless after all and Ryan realises the hard truth about his mate Greggo. Joycie’s honesty costs her her job caring for Aunt Dorothy and Len tries to make amends by organising a party with The Eastern playing. Ginny does a vital deal with Monee and makes a bid for her own freedom, while Ryan’s isolation takes him to the brink.
Hope and Wire is a dramatized edition of what happened to a group of New Zealanders after the 2010 Christchurch earthquakes telling the "real story". They didn't need any extra drama, Christchurch survivors know that.
Acting
Rachel House brings devastating authenticity to working-class resilience.
Direction
Preston's docu-drama approach honors survivors without exploitation.
Creators
Dave Armstrong, Gaylene Preston
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Many cast members were actual Christchurch residents; some had lost homes in the quakes. Bernard Hill reportedly spent weeks living in the red zone to prepare.
The title references the unofficial anthem 'Hope and Wire' by The Eastern, a Christchurch band whose lead singer lost everything in the February 2011 quake.
