Jackson's Wharf was a New Zealand television series created by Gavin Strawhan and Rachel Lang. Set in a fictional coastal town, the series told the story of a sibling rivalry between brothers Frank, the town cop, and Ben Jackson, a big-town lawyer. After inheriting the local pub from his recently deceased father, Ben returns to the small town with his family, with his arrival bringing its fair sheer of drama and conflict to the small township.
CreatorsGavin Strawhan, Rachel Lang
Jackson's Return (Part 1)
Jun 22, 1999
Big city lawyer Ben Jackson, the small town guy made good, arrives back in Jacksons Wharf with his family in tow following the death of his father. His brother Frank, the local cop, seems resentful of his return home, while Frank's wife Mahina has reasons of her own for not wanting Ben back in town.
Jackson's Return (Part 2)
Ben learns Jesse has been expelled from school for hitting a teacher. Larissa confesses to Betty the truth about Calder's death. Brian and Maggie are the targets of a home invasion. Ben decides his family will stay on in Jackson's Wharf.
First Meetings Back in Jacksons Wharf (Part 1)
Ben settles into running the pub, but is escaping the city as easy as he thought? Ben's colleague arrives from the city hoping lure him back to his real job. Larissa organises a 21st bash for Zane at the pub but Frank tries to make trouble. Natalie sets her sights on Jesse.
First Meetings Back in Jacksons Wharf (Part 2)
Natalie tries to make a move on Jesse with disastrous results. Calvin has a serious crush on Larissa, but she has worries of her own. Frank pretends he has no problem with Ben — deciding that revenge is a dish best eaten cold.
The New Couple (Part 1)
A new couple come to Jacksons Wharf wanting to make a fresh start. Mahina and Ben try to help, but Frank has different views and embarks on a campaign to run them out of town. Kath puts Ronnie, the rugby coach, out to pasture; and Jesse finds his first day at school more appealing than he had predicted.
The New Couple (Part 2)
Ben spurs the rugby team on while Ronnie drowns his sorrows. Ben gives newcomer Greg a chance, but Frank pushes the matter. Jesse finds his new teacher Serena has more to teach after school.
Truths
Greg proposes to Tanya with a ring he found while renovating one of the rooms in the hotel. Jesse tries to get back in his teacher's good books. Charlie and Aroha get a life lesson about chickens when their trick on Natalie backfires with tragic consequences. Mahina and Ben discover the truth about Greg and Tanya.
Big Decisions
Lucy invites Serena to dinner, and Jesse is stunned by his teacher's proposition. A small death leads Maggie to a big decision. Frank pushes Greg over the edge.
A Dog Hunt
An armed posse sets out to deal with a sheep-killing stray dog but the hunt leads to a strange discovery. Charlie makes a new friend and the Naked Guy arrives in Jacksons Wharf. Serena moves out of the hotel and breaks all the rules with Jessie. Ben gets double-booked for speaking engagements.
The Naked Guy
The Naked Guy's identity is uncovered. Jesse finds a good reason to walk the dog. Kath supports an old rival in a time of need. Brian and Maggie announce their engagement.
Big Breaks, Mood Swings, Fatherhood, and Dangerous Sides (Part 1)
The rugby team celebrate not losing their match. Lucy becomes concerned about Jesse's strange mood swings. Zane and Larissa reconcile for a moment and afterward she turns to Calvin in despair. Ben gives Zane his big break and takes him under his wing to give him extra rugby coaching. Mason tries to catch a shellfish poacher.
Big Breaks, Mood Swings, Fatherhood, and Dangerous Sides (Part 2)
Calvin prepares for fatherhood. Ben arranges for a scout to watch Zane play. Zane sees the dangerous side of Calvin. Mahina worries about Jesse and Serena's extra-curricular activities.
Accusations, Illicit Love, and High Hopes (Part 1)
With wedding plans progressing, Brian wants to sell his bull to pay debts. The pressure of illicit love weighs heavy on Serena who wants some space from Jesse. To hide their affair, Jesse admits to Mahina he has feelings for his teacher and asks out Chantelle Judd. It's all too much for Serena who calls things off. Lucy plays nurse to Zane at the hotel after he's released from hospital. Something is killing the livestock on an organic farm.
Accusations, Illicit Love, and High Hopes (Part 2)
Lucy plays nurse to Zane at the hotel after he's released from hospital. Brian accuses his neighbour of trying to ruin him by covering up an outbreak but Maggie refuses to take sides. Jesse takes out his frustrations on Natalie and Chantelle before admitting everything to Mahina. She agrees to keep his affair with Serena a secret if he agrees to stay in school. Overwhelmed by the size of the debt Calder left Brian, Maggie calls for a family meeting to discuss the farm. Frank tries to come between Larissa and Calvin, but it backfires.
Episode 15
Natalie has a party at her place while Frank goes fishing and Mahina does parent interviews at school. Larissa moves in with Calvin causing him strife with Frank. Ben worries about Lucy and Zane's relationship. Natalie's party takes a bad turn and Calvin goes missing when his dingy runs out of petrol.
Episode 16
Calvin makes his way to shore after recovering from the water the body of a local who has been missing for a week. Frank investigates the mysterious death, but does Calvin know more than he's letting on? Natalie tries to cover her tracks when she discovers items missing from her house after the party. Lucy recruits Zane to recover the items. Ben lays down some ground rules for Jesse and Lucy and gives Zane a very clear warning.
Episode 17
Calvin and Larissa have hopes to purchase Maggie's house but are short on money. Ronnie makes Larissa an offer that, when revealed, unleashes a wave of secrets from the past. Maggie is forced to make wedding plans, which include finding a dress. Frank tells Ben the truth about their father's death. Calvin learns the truth about Larissa's past.
Confontation
Ben and Frank force Ronnie to reveal his secret. An executive for the fishery arrives. She's an old friend of Maggie and provides a welcome reunion but throws the future of Jacksons Wharf into doubt. Ben and Frank worry about Larissa's relationship with their father. Could she be Calder's daughter? Frank uncovers the true extent of his father's financial misdealings and the large debt owed to Larissa. Calvin is gutted to hear about Larissa's relationship with his father but learning that Zane is the father of her baby is too much for him to take.
Wedding Nerves
Calvin confronts Zane about Larissa's pregnancy. Chantelle asks Jesse if she can spend the night. Maggie has more than just wedding nerves.
A Secret Past
Frank endeavors to get Maggie to the church on time. Brian calls off the wedding after learning of Maggie and Abby's secret past. Abby gives Mahina confidential information to help her fight the closure of the fishery. Chantelle makes Jesse a dangerous offer. Calvin asks Larissa to take him back.
Investigation
Mason investigates cash cropping in Jacksons Wharf. Lucy defends Zane but is he as innocent as he claims? Ben agrees to Kath's matchmaking attempts. Mahina searches for a business plan to save the fishery.
Frightening
A frightening armed robbery at the pub brings Ben and Mahina closer together. Frank accuses Zane of an armed robbery, but Lucy is his willing alibi. Jesse is horrified to learn his father is dating Serena.
Episode 23
Maggie tries to mend bridges with Brian, but he's got bigger things to prove. Calvin and Larissa take a big gamble with her inheritance. While Kath tries to push Serena and Ben together, Mahina tries to dissuade Ben from pursuing the relationship. Mason lashes out at Natalie after he is sexually harassed on the job.
Episode 24
Brian learns the truth about Kim and her horse. Ben's liaison with Serena is interrupted by a stoned Jesse. Will Mason succumb to Natalie's plans for the Blue Light Disco?
Episode 25
Mahina and Ben fight to save the town from financial ruin. Frank worries about escalating violence in the town. Ben is furious after learning the truth about Serena and Jesse.
Episode 26
Abandoned by Ben, Mahina struggles to rally support from the workers to save the fishery from closure. Frank plays chicken with Mahina's nephew with tragic results.
Episode 27
A rugby victory prompts some male bonding when Ben asks Shayne the postie to put the team through a new workout regime. Tension builts between Frank and Mason as they face an inquiry into Victor's accident. Natalie's excitement over her mother's arrival for her birthday puts Mahina's nose out of joint.
Episode 28
Mason's safety rests in Frank's hands as the rugby team steps up its training. Natalie's elation over her Mum's visit soon turns to devastation. The rugby boys learn a new dance; and Jesse takes a shine to Shayne.
Episode 29
Mahina suspects Frank of having an affair with his ex. Jesse and Shayne are on the receiving end of homophobic jibes. Natalie is serious about moving to Sydney with her mum. Ronnie signs up for Kath's new matchmaking service.
Episode 30
Mason knows the truth about Frank's affair and struggles to keep it a secret. Shayne refuses to identify his attacker. Ronnie gives Kath's new dating agency a go; and Jesse makes a shock discovery.
Episode 31
Lucy and Chantelle gets themselves into a dodgy situation with a sleaze while a long way from home. Ben tells Mahina about Frank's affair and Ronnie is inundated by women wanting a date.
Episode 32
Mahina is devastated when she learns the truth about Frank's affair. Lucy and Chantelle make a narrow escape from the creepy Craig. Ronnie thinks he is in with a grin with Prue.
Episode 33
Larissa is shattered by her scan results. Mahina feels humiliated by Frank's affair and Charlie and Aroha wonder if Frank's ever coming home. Prue and Kath butt heads over how to celebrate the reopening of the fishery.
Episode 34
Calvin can't cope with Larissa's plan for terminating her pregnancy and lashes out. A drunk Frank tries to reconcile with Mahina and Aroha has high hopes for the Hoki Queen contest. After being released from prison, Aroha's biological dad returns. Zane comforts Larissa.
Episode 35
Aroha's real dad Danny Cooper returns to Jacksons Wharf after being released from prison. Lucy is cool with Zane who admits he has been comforting Larissa; and Ronnie's fitness test has shocking results.
Episode 36
Frank and Aroha's dad Danny come to blows. Zane comforts Larissa in her time of need. Ben takes Mahina on a date and Ronnie's new exercise regime leads to a nasty injury.
Episode 37
Calvin can't cope with his break-up from Larissa, or his recent job loss, and takes solace in the bottle. Danny and Frank fight for Aroha's affections and Mason revisits the evidence from Danny's murder trial.
Episode 38
Ben and Frank both open their hearts to Mahina. Frank gets off an official police complaint, much to Mason's disgust. Danny convinces Aroha to got for one last drive before his goes away — with terrifying consequences.
Episode 39
Frank finds a drunk and depressed Calvin in a ditch after he goes off the road. Mahina gives her marriage another chance, much to Ben's dismay. Chantelle has an ulterior motive for hanging around Lucy, Ronnie is on the hunt for advice, and Calvin starts a new business.
Episode 40
Ronnie is furious when he catches Calvin using his new boat to poach his business, but when Ronnie turns the tables, a lack of customers drives Calvin to drink with disastrous results. Haunted by her experience with Craig Royal, Chantelle takes the law into her own hands. Ronnie has a proposition for Prue.
Episode 41
Prue accepts Ronnie's marriage proposal, but Kath is dubious about Prue's motives and begins digging into her history. When Charlie gets a cold, Ben sees his chance to catch up with the lovely Dr Elspeth Scott. Shayne has a proposition for Brian; and Lucy wants to spend her holidays with Zane, but he's more interested in smoking dope and lying around.
Episode 42
Policing a dance party stretches Frank and Mason — especially when it is discovered that potentially lethal drugs have been stolen from the vet's surgery. Natalie is back in town and is rapt to see Chantelle, but her friend doesn't seem to be her normal self; and a pre-nuptial agreement settles Ronnie and Prue's wedding blues… or does it?
Episode 43
Chantelle is missing and a search party gets underway. Frank fears the worst when Calvin confesses they took drugs at the dance party. Ben thinks his relationship with Elspeth is still under wraps, but his children have already guessed. A recuperating Brian is under siege from Ronnie and Kath.
Episode 44
After Zane is questioned in connection with Chantelle's disappearance, he warns Lucy about talking to the cops. Ben and Charlie have a man-to-man discussion about Ben's new girlfriend, Elspeth. Calvin panics when he discovers blood in the backseat of his car.
Episode 45
Frank finds leads on a missing Chantelle, but does Calvin know more than he is letting on? Elspeth spends the night with Ben, but is horrified by a discovery at the end of the bed in the morning. Ricky and Frank are under the gun by the Trust to make the fishery profitable and Mahina is outraged to learn about redundancies. Larissa becomes Calvin's business partner.
Episode 46
Calvin makes a shocking confession about the night Chantelle went missing. Ben senses tension between Lucy and Elspeth; and a strike looms at the fishery.
Episode 47
Detective Christine Walsh from CIB takes control of the Chantelle Judd investigation and quickly finds holes in Frank's inquiries. Natalie is distressed by her friends' morbid fascination in the case; and Calvin comes clean to the cops about his last night with Chantelle.
Episode 48
Frank tries to protect Calvin by putting the murder investigation back on Zane. Lucy tells Frank about Chantelle trashing Craig Royal's cabin, prompting a full-scale search of his property. Natalie finds solace in Mason's faith.
Episode 49
The pressure of the murder inquiry proves too much for Calvin. Prue has psychic feelings about Chantelle's disappearance. Zane and Calvin come to blows over Larissa. Mahina has concerns about Natalie's conversion to Christianity. Ronnie is stunned when he finally meets Prue's girls.
Episode 50
Frank is shocked to learn of Calvin's murder confession then takes the law into his own hands to spy on Chantelle's dad. Mahina accuses Mason of taking advantage of Natalie at a vulnerable time. Larissa and Calvin declare their love and make plans to leave Jacksons Wharf.
Episode 51
Natalie's Christian conversion leads to new clues about Chantelle's disappearance. Calvin struggles to cope with life behind bars and Frank tries to come between Natalie and Mason
Episode 52
Dec 17, 1999
Romance abounds at Ronnie and Prue's wedding. Mahina confesses her love to Ben, while Frank's police inquiries lead to a devastating discovery about his wife and brother. Larissa fears for Calvin's safety in prison and Natalie invites her family to her baptism.
