Rangi Heremaia

Rangi Heremaia
Shortland Street character
Portrayed by	Blair Strang
Duration	1995–2001
First appearance	21 March 1995
Last appearance	9 April 2001
Classification	Former; regular
Introduced by	Gavin Strawhan
In-universe information Other names Rangi Walters Occupation Paramedic Father Joe Bennett Mother Hana Heremaia Half-brothers Matt Bennett Joshua Bennett Wife Donna Heka (2000–2001) Sons Toka Heremaia Daughters Natasha Heremaia Uncles Tamahae Broughton Aunts Tui Heremaia Kiri Broughton First cousins Awhina Broughton

Te Rangitahi "Rangi" Heremaia is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Blair Strang from 1995 to 2001 and again in a cameo in 2022.

The character was renowned and iconic for his unusual and unrealistic storylines; One of which being a long running incest storyline with Donna Heka (Stephanie Tauevihi), creating a "will-they/won't-they" dynamic that lasted many years. The two eventually discovered they were in no way related and married in an iconic wedding that aired on the show's 2000th episode. Other memorable storylines for the character include his romance with Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield), two car accidents (one of which left him paralyzed), getting stabbed twice, recovering from paraplegia and his girlfriend dying as he was about to propose. The character survived the 2001 cast overhaul only for Strang to quit the show due to a "stress related illness". The character was written off in a whodunit storyline that saw his body discovered after being missing for weeks. It was eventually revealed he was murdered by his mistress' husband.

The character and his romance with Donna proved highly favourable for fans, with his absurd storylines also being remembered as iconic. Rangi's death remains known as one of the most memorable deaths on the show.