Okay, sure it's not an amazing drama and the acting can be a bit sketchy at times but you have to appreciate it for what it is. It's a low budget, New Zealand made, get it done quickly soap drama. Despite the fact that at times they sway from character to character and some of the twists are a bit excessive, it can't be beaten. There is nothing I would rather watch on a weekday evening at 7pm than Shortland Street simply because the drama is actually well written and entertaining to say the least. For the fact that it has such a low budget and that it has been running for over 15 years gives a sign of it's cultural significance within New Zealand. It's a short piece and it's plot is always interesting and easy to follow, so you could start to watch it at any stage in your life.Don't knock it, even though it isn't the best - it's worth what it is.

Shortland Street was pretty good for a soap (although I prefer Home and Away, which has more excitement like a gun-toting, crystal-meth addict on the lose), but Shortland Street has gone down hill.If you like your programs with 99% relationship stuff and 1% excitement, then you might like the 2005 series of Shortland Street. I haven't actually watched much of it, but I can tell from the ads on T.V. that relationships are the main source of entertainment for 2005.But, if you can see episodes before 2005, it has had some good stuff and the end of year cliffhangers are a must for most viewers of this type of soap opera.

Well my opinion is that the show is really good and has gained a lot of viewers out there in new Zealand this is because they have done well to pick people who are good for the parts and they have produced the show well.I think they are doing a good job with the show and its interesting to watch. It's not like your typical TV program where the characters lives are perfect, they have the mix of happy and unhappy families. It's also good because they have a range of people in the way of age, body size and race and don't just include the hot, skinny ones. The show has gone along way since it first started and its improving by the day with new characters and new challenges to face. Hope the show stay on air for years to come!

this is an ok show considering its new zealand its not as good as american ones but it doesnt completely suck