Brokenwood is a seemingly quiet country town where Shepherd, who has an unconventional approach to police work, is assisted by local Detective Kristin Sims, who is precise and efficient at her job, to solve murders.

[4] Though the exact location of Brokenwood is not stated, it was largely written[5] and filmed in small towns immediately to the north of Auckland.

However, for most of the world that receive the show on streamers and ad free, the 90 minute length provides a satisfying investment, offering more twists and turns than the usual commercial one hour format allows.

James Croot in Stuff praised the series in the following terms: 'series head writer Tim Balme does a terrific job of keeping the audience guessing as to the killer while carving out a few nice character moments and a rich vein of humour' and that 'with its “gentle” approach to murders, twisty mysteries and warm, witty and relatively uncomplicated regulars, it’s easy to see why Brokenwood has gained such a global following.

[31] In contrast, writing in the New Zealand Herald, critic Colin Hogg panned the series, stating that it was "a local version aiming at that grand TV detective tradition" but that its "Dialogue is clichéd, the acting aches and the locations are boring.

DVD review website High Def Standard described the first series as "uniquely thrilling TV" and "a New Zealand Midsomer Murders that isn’t afraid to venture off into Twin Peaks territory every now and again.

"[35] The Manawatu Standard's Malcolm Hopwood enjoyed the series but lamented episode length: "The Brokenwood Mysteries (Prime Sundays) is like our TPP negotiations.

[38] The Brokenwood Mysteries received a bronze world medal at the New York Festival's International Television and Film Awards in 2014.

[20] The Brokenwood Mysteries received a silver world medal at the New York Festival's International Television and Film Awards in 2018.

New Zealand musicians exhibited on Brokenwood include Tami Neilson, Mel Parsons, Delaney Davidson, Barry Saunders, the Harbour Union, Barnaby Weir of the Black Seeds, the Unfaithful Way, and Jenny Mitchell.

[41] Other singers are Marlon Williams, the Warratahs, Bannerman, The DeSotos, Aldous Harding, Jackie Bristow, The Fables, Ghost Town, Reb Fountain, The Eastern, Carla Werner and Esther Stephens.