a 1999 storyline saw nick incorporate apple computers into the clinic as part of a new administration scheme. television new zealand had not entered into any agreement with apple and was rather portraying the computers due to their "sexy" looks and for storyline development; a move praised by apple. however shortly into the storyline's progression, the computers were infected with viruses. apple was shocked at how their computers were portrayed and confessed that future storylines involving the computers would require consultation so as to provide "more appropriate" scenarios. in 2002, when the actor took a sabbatical from the show, "the new zealand tv guide" ran a 'bring back nick' campaign demanding that the iconic character be reinstated. throughout 2001 and 2002, burnett lost 18 kilos by going on a healthy diet. to explain his weight loss on screen, nick was shown to eat more balanced meals and healthy alternatives replaced junk food in the hospital cafeteria. health experts praised the show and burnett for the initiative. the pairing of nick and waverley was described as "totally right" and was compared to the marriage of ken and deirdre barlow in "coronation street".