SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 

Kia ora koutou 

It can be useful to take a look back at decisions of the past, to help inform our future thinking. In two very different instances we take a look back at the history of Grand Theft Auto with the Classification Office, ahead of the release of GTA VI, in our latest gaming blog edition, and we provide an update on a historic Rainbow publications project that has now concluded. 

If you're seeking something completely different, our Through the Ages series takes you through the Marvel Cinematic Universe by age and stage, as shown by the classifications and ratings for every Marvel entry. And this month's featured decisions for films and series on release are highlighted for your informed viewing. 

Our newsletters generally talk about topics like sex, drugs, and the media content landscape. Our aim is to have difficult conversations and shine a light on ways to reduce harm for New Zealanders. If you know someone who should receive these updates, please share our newsletter or encourage them to subscribe. Be sure to follow our socials and LinkedIn too.

Aroha atu, aroha mai, tātou i a tātou
Let’s look out for each other

— Chief Censor Caroline Flora

#Mātakitahi #WatchTogether #Kōrerotahi #TalkTogether 

Image: Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal in Eddington

Our submission for the latest Select Committee oral hearings

On Monday Chief Censor Caroline Flora and Deputy Chief Censor Rupert Ablett-Hampson presented the Classification Office submission at the oral hearings for the Inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders encounter online, and the roles that Government, business, and society should play in addressing those harms.

This was a good opportunity for us to present from our research on online misogyny and violent extremism and the online experience and its influence on youth body image in Aotearoa, and the youth voices we've consulted with most recently in our Content that Crosses the Line report. We also spoke about our daily work classifying content and providing information to the public, and highlighted the gap currently in New Zealand's media regulatory landscape when it comes to online content, and inconsistent labelling requirements. We also spoke to the ways the Office is modernising the way we classify content to help combat the more extreme online harms. You can read our full submission on our website.

Roblox to use international rating system for their game platform

We welcome the news that Roblox, one of the most popular online gaming platforms for children, will incorporate the international rating system IARC for games available on their service. The structure of Roblox allows for user-created games to be played by children of any age. We hope to see parental controls aligned with IARC's rating system, empowering parents, caregivers and children to browse age-appropriate games. 

Over on our blog we dive into the pros and cons of Roblox, giving parents guidance around what Roblox is, and how to talk about it with your whānau. 

Reconsidering Historic Rainbow Publications

Between the years 1963 and 1994, prior to the establishment of the Classification Office, approximately 1,200 publications were banned by the Indecent Publications Tribunal. Some publications were banned solely because they contained rainbow content.

In late 2022, the Classification Office launched a project to revisit these historic decisions, made prior to the Homosexual Law Reform Act of 1986. The Chief Censor writes about the background to this project and what the next steps are for historic rainbow publication reconsiderations. 

What is Grand Theft Auto and how can I talk with my child about the game?

Did you know GTA V was released in 2013 but is still ranked as one of the best selling and most-played games internationally?

With the imminent release of GTA VI being advertised for May 2026 we thought it was a good time to look back at the history of GTA with the Classification Office, and answer questions that parents and caregivers might have about the games.

In this epic instalment of our gaming blog series we find out what young people say about the game, what our Classification Advisors say about the game, as well as highlight what the research says. 

Join us for a ride with What is Grand Theft Auto and how can I talk with my child about the game?

Through the Ages (and Ratings): Marvel Cinematic Universe 

We break down watching Marvel Movies and series with kids; from the least to most intense classifications and ratings by age. 

Marvel movies and series are a huge part of pop culture, and if you’ve got a superhero-loving kid, chances are they’ll want to dive into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Why did Caught Stealing get this classification?

R16: Violence, offensive language, drug use and content that may disturb

Hank Thompson, a burned-out former baseball player, is suddenly pulled into a deadly fight for survival in the criminal underbelly of 1990s New York, forced to navigate an underworld he never thought he’d enter.

Caught Stealing was classified by the Office and received an R16 with content warnings for violence, offensive language, drug use and content that may disturb. Read our breakdown of this classification.

Why did Eddington get this classification?

R16: Violence

In May of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbour is pitted against neighbour in Eddington, New Mexico.

Eddington was classified by the Office and received an R16 with a content warning for violence. Read our breakdown of the classification.

Why did The Map That Leads to You get this rating?

M: Sexual themes, drug references, offensive language and adult themes

On her trip to Europe, Heather’s journey takes an unexpected turn when she meets Jack – and a surprising romance begins.

The Map That Leads to You was self-rated by Prime Video and received an M with content warnings for sexual themes, drug references, offensive language and adult themes. Read our breakdown of this rating.

Because our work requires a broad knowledge of the vast online landscape, we consume a lot of media in the office. Here are just a few of the things we’ve found relevant and informative over the past month. Take a break with these media lunch items:

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 2024 CyberTip Line Report (NCMEC)

Is there anything you can do about public shaming on the internet? (NZ Herald)

Four phones, three weeks: Would a social media ban for teens work? (RNZ)