The series followed the fortunes of the Roche Brothers’ trucking firm.

Main cast

Back row, left to right: Dale (Jason Saunders), Sonia (Deirdre O'connor), Mick (John Bach), Kate Nolan (Denise O'Connell), Tony (Andy Anderson), Fa'alele (Elenoa Lilo) and George (Justin Curry)

Front Row: Molly (Lydia Davis), Barney (Derek Harwick) and Bill (Danny Mulheron). The two children are Bernard (Leon Bana) and Rachel (Deanah Mayhew).

Grandparents Molly and Barney are separated and she rules the clan. Bothers Mick and Tony run a trucking company. Sonia's married to Mick, and Dale is their son. Tony's married to Fa'alel, and George and Rachel are their children. Sister Kate with a young some, Bernard. And brother Billy is a lawyer.

John Bach as Mick Roche

Andy Anderson in Roche

Episodes

1) Cowboys

Mick's attitude to unions causes fresh problems for the Roche Brothers. Meanwhile, Tony's interests move beyond football.

Mick: John Bach, Tony: Andy Anderson, Molly: Lydia Davis, Barney: Derek Hardwick, Kate: Denise O'Connell, Billy: Danny Mulheron, Fa'alele: Elenoa Lilo, Sonia: Deirdre O'Connor, Sue Donnelly: Eva Radich, Pat Donnelly: John Callen, Traffic Officer: John Banas, Truckie: John Peter Dennett, Factory Manager: Bill Smith, Union Delegate: Tim Lee, Sione: David Saena, Auckland Foreman: Tom Poata

Director: Derek Morton
Producer: Peter Muxlow
Writer: Dean Parker

2) Billy the Kid

When the homes of Barney and his old comrades are threatened Billy Roche gets a chance to prove himself but at what personal cost? Tony has woman problems of a different kind.

Billy: Danny Mulheron, Tony: Andy Anderson, Molly: Lydia Davis, Barney: Derek Hardwick, Kate: Denise O'Connell, Mick: John Bach, Fa'alele: Elenoa Lilo, Sonia: Deirdre O'Connor, Lana Summers: Dulcie Smart, Vera Miller: Joan Reid, Celia Corneil: Bridget Armstrong, Barbara: Melissa Miles, Scotty McKenzie: Lewis Martin, Roger Sowerman: Bernard Kearns, Howard Fraser: Martyn Sanderson, Tickets O'Malley: Simon O'Connor.

Writer: Greg McGee
Director: John Anderson
Producer: Peter Muxlow

3) Squeeze Me, Honey, Honey

Mick's financial troubles are worsening. Brother-in-law Stan's business is booming, but where does Kate fit into Stan's plans?

Stan Nolan: Kevin Wilson, Snatch: Marshall Napier, Lionel Johnson: Gilbert Goldie, MC: Michael McDonald, Posnic Driver: Michael Batley, Carl Prosser: Anthony Noonan, Bank Manager: David McKenzie, Frank: Neal Gunn, Ken: Tony Eagleton, Grace: Maria Heenan.

Director: Murray Reece
Producer: Peter Muxlow

4) Sons and Fathers

Grandfather, father, and son all have something to learn when Mick’s son, Dale, comes home from boarding school. Tony considers fleeing the hassles of Roche Brothers, but will he convince Fa’alele?

Tony: Andy Anderson, Molly: Lydia Davis, Barney: Derek Hardwick, Kate: Denise O’Connell, Mick: John Bach, Dale: Jason Saunders, Sonia: Deirdre O’Connor, Fa’alele: Elenoroa Lilo, Bill Freeman: Charles Walker, 'Cocky Dixon: Cliff Wood, Tom: Michael Morrissey, Teacher: Lewis Rowe

Writer Dean Parker
Director: John Laing
Producer: Peter Muxlow

5) E.T.(19/06/85)

A Samoan boxer who goes out with Fa's sister is arrested as an overstayer, Billy comes to the rescue and finds himself face to face with the man responsible for him loosing his job.

Tony: Andy Anderson, Billy: Danny Mulheron, Kate: Denise O’Connell, Mick: John Bach, Molly: Lydia Davis, Aleki fa’ga: Ole Maiava, F a’alele: Elenoa Lilo Salema Vaumauga: Sandra Tupu, Howard Fraser: Martyn Sanderson, Snatch: Marshall Napier, Lana Summers: Dulcie Smart., Lasela Vaumauga: Moira Walker, Siosi Vaumauga: Larney Tupu, Dan O’Halloran: Eddie Campbell, Barbara: Melissa Miles, Semi: Phillip Laulu, Wicks: Neville Carson.

Writer: Greg McGee
Director: Tony Isaac
Producer: Peter Muxlow

6) Happy Families (26/6/85)

Mick's attitude to unions means trouble for Kate in her new job. With Kate so preoccupied, Bernard is unhappy.

Tony: Andy Anderson, Billy: Danny Mulheron, Kate: Denise O’Connell, Mick: John Bach, Molly: Lydia Davis, Bernard: Leon Banas, Barney: Derek Hardwick, Sonia: Deirdre O’Connor, Morrie Dobbs: Merfyn Owen, Maria Dobbs: Katy Platt, Vic Lovett: Kingi Morgan, Anna Lovett: Moka Tamapeau, Luke Lovett: Junior Amiga, Stevie Lovett: Gwynn Amiga.

Writer Simon O’Connor
Director: Tony Isaac
Producer: Peter Muxlow

7) Men Alone (3/7/85)

Mick gives it away, Tony and Sonia come to the rescue in their different ways.

Tony: Andy Anderson, Kale: Denise 0'Connell, Mick: John Bach, Sonia: Deirdre O'Connor, Uncle Murray: Manna Napier, Shenia: Vivienne Luabe, Sergeant: Harry Lavinglon, Jim Donaldson: Peter Vere-Jone, Bank manager: David McKenzie.

Writer: Greg McGee
Director: Tony Isaac
Producer: Peter Muxlow

8) Mates (10/07/85)

Fa makes a visit to Samoa and Tony's mate Brockie arrives on the scene for some fun and games. But tony finds out that the life of a swinging single isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Tony: Andy Anderson, Kate: Denise O'Connell, Mick: John Bach Sonia: Deirdre O'Connor, Fa'alele: Elenoa Lilo, Billy: Danny Mulheron, Molly: Lydia Davis, Bernard: Leon Banas, Lindsay Brock: Sean Duffy, Marcia: Fiona Samuel, Sandy: Christine Higgs, Stella: Lorae Parry, Barbara: Melissa Miles, Cocky Dixon: Cliff Wood, Mrs Short: Poppy Watts, Arnie: George Ricketts

Writer Simon O'Connor
Director: John Laing
Producer: Peter Muxlow

9) The Quick and the Dead

An old comrade is outmanoeuvred as he dies and Barney tries to make sure it can't happen to him. A new man complicates Kate's life and puts her into further conflict with his brothers. (Final)

Joe Mckenzie: Jim Moriarty, Vera Miller: Joan Reid, Scotty McKenzie: Lewis Martin, Priest: Graeme Tetley.

Writer: Matthew Simes
Director: Murray Reece
Producer: Peter Muxlow

The ROCHE truck was a R600 Mack, a rig that could haul up to 40 tonnes and back then was worth close to $200,000 (with trailer, $280,000). There were over 800 such vehicles in use in New Zealand in 1985. Mack was the leading brand of heavy duty live-haul truck in this country at the time. The truck may have been spotted in Nelson in 2006, and it is now based near Christchurch, restored, shed stored and receives plenty of attention when out at shows or on truck runs. It's not used commercially.

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