Monday night's episode the TV programme showed nurse Kylie Brown's mother Norelle (Luanne Gordon) making the decision to end her own life following a battle with breast cancer.

Fans have taken to social media to give praise to the soap for tackling the controversial and emotional topic of euthanasia. Continue reading

Last Thursday's episode saw the character of 15-year-old Kane Jenkins (played by Auckland teenager KJ Apa) attempt to end his life after a slide into depression.

Kane had been the victim of online bullying, and tonight brushed off attempts from the Cooper family, his foster carers, to discuss his depression after they found evidence of online abuse he had been subjected to on his laptop. Continue reading

The Naililili Catholic Mission was the last of the Fijian locations used.

The Mission, which is on an island in a river, is accessible only by boat.

The church at Naililili, built in 1849 by French missionaries.

Its stone walls, blackened by age and weather provided a dramatic backdrop.

Although it was exam time, 15 students from the local school were exempted so they could be extras on set.

But the 15 turned to dozens as the children got wind of the visitors and flocked to see the stars.

Shortland Street has been running in Fiji for 22 years.

While in Fiji, actors Kerry-Lee Dewing, Ria Vandervis, Sam Bunkall and Michael Galvin were swamped by fanatical fans delighted to meet their favourite soap stars.

Galvin was subject to adulation of "Beatle-mania-esque" proportions. He was accosted and jostled: shouts of "Chris" sound in the streets, by the pool, in the airport.

Source

• The Herald on Sunday
• Image: Jae Frew