Joe Hudson

Joe Hudson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Rawiri Paratene from 2001 to 2002. Creation and casting In 2000 an Australian consultant made several large changes to the show that would see a more working class hospital portrayed. Joe, his wife Te Hana and children Mihi and Tama were created because of this. As part of the revamp, producers wished for a more community based cast with established family links, mimicking the past presence of the Warner and McKenna families. Rawiri Paratene was cast in the role. The Hudson's arrival was said to be a "shock" for the established character of Te Hana's brother, Victor Kahu (Calvin Tuteao). Paratene stated upon gaining the role, "It's fantastic to be here. I've come from a situation where I worked with young actors who looked up to me for guidance. Now, I've landed in a job where I work with a lot of game, fit young actors who I look to for guidance." Storylines Joe arrived to Ferndale with the Hudson family for a fresh start and immediately clashed with his wife Te Hana's (Vanessa Rare) brother Victor (Calvin Tuteao), who thought Te Hana could do better. Joe struggled to find a job and was victimized by the police due to his race. He eventually was hired as a security guard but was devastated to learn Te Hana had cheated on him with Geoff Greenlaw (Andrew Laing) and the two bitterly separated. Joe reluctantly stayed in Ferndale and for a while it seemed he and Te Hana were going to reconcile, but it was not to be and Joe soon left for a job in the Middle East. 2 years later Joe had returned to New Zealand and was living in Northland as indicated when Tama Hudson (David Wikaira-Paul) visited him. Te Hana offered to take Tama's daughter, Rangimarie (Mia Curreen-Poko) up north as Joe was willing to look after her. Character development Joe was described as having been brought up on "the wrong side of the tracks." The families arrival to Ferndale was Joe's decision so as to; "prove himself a worthy husband to Te Hana and a good father to Mihi and Tama." Joe was proud of his family but resented the presence of brother in law, Victor Kahu. Producer Simon Bennett described the family, stating; "The Hudson family is poor. They’ve moved to the city from the country and they’re trying to start a new life with nothing,". Paratene enjoyed his character, stating, "Joe's cool. Basically, he's a good man with lots of good points, which also become his weak points.