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Michael Galvin was one of the original cast members of Shortland Street, appearing as Chris Warner in the very first episode on May 25, 1992.


A talented actor and writer, Michael can also sing, a skill that his on-screen alter ego Chris Warner has demonstrated in many Shortland Street talent quests and musicals.

A graduate of Victoria University and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, Michael had an extensive stage career before joining Shortland Street.

His theatre credits include roles in the New Zealand classics Ladies Night, Foreskin's Lament, and Blue Sky Boys as well as Phantom of the Opera.


In 1996, Michael took a break from Shortland Street to write and travel.

During this time, he had roles in the television productions Highwater and Cover Story, and the feature film The Climb, which starred John Hurt.


To the delight of his many fans, he returned to New Zealand and Shortland Street in early 2001 and has remained ever since.

Michael has had short stories published in the anthologies The Picnic Virgin (edited by drama school classmate Emily Perkins) and Boy's Own Stories (edited by Graeme Lay).

Michael is also an accomplished playwright.

His first play New Gold Dream was a comedy about the reunion of a once famous performance art group obsessed with 80s music.

A workshop production of New Gold Dream was staged by the Auckland Theatre Company at the inaugural Auckland arts festival, AK03.

His second play, the critically acclaimed The Ocean Star ran at the Maidment theatre in 2006.

In 2007 Galvin was recognised as an outstanding emerging playwright, winning New Zealand's most significant national theatre award, the Bruce Mason Playwriting Award.

This prestigious annual award recognises the work of outstanding emerging New Zealand playwrights.

In 2009, Michael performed in his own play, Station to Station, to rave reviews.

Michael has a young daughter, named Lily.

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