APRIL NEWSLETTER 

Kia ora koutou

Misogyny is a heavy way to start a newsletter. But the stunningly choreographed series Adolescence on Netflix has raised many questions and important conversations about the prevalence of online misogyny in modern culture. It can't be ignored. Misogyny is a common thread across various hateful and extremist ideologies growing online both in Aotearoa and around the world. Our 2024 literature review shone a spotlight on this topic and I'm pleased to see mainstream entertainment like Adolescence is sparking conversations around the dinner table for people everywhere.

Sitting down to watch tough topics like misogyny and murder on a popular streaming series, or a fictional dystopian where women are slaves, such as The Handmaid's Tale, can feel like a trauma watch during your entertainment time. How do we stay safe while being entertained? And have you ever wondered how our Classification Advisors keep safe while watching tough stuff for their jobs? Our blog Watch with Caution discusses these frequently asked questions.

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.

I'm sharing this newsletter as the recently reappointed leader of the Classification Office - Te Mana Whakaatu. It's an honour to be appointed for a second term as Chief Censor. I'm thrilled to be leading a wonderful team of experts who do some of the most challenging work I've seen in my career.

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

— Chief Censor Caroline Flora

#Mātakitahi #WatchTogether #Kōrerotahi #TalkTogether 

Image: still from Adolescence. Read our featured decision for this title. 

What is Minecraft and how can I talk with my child about the game?

In New Zealand Minecraft has a game classification of PG low level violence. In Australia it has a game rating of PG mild fantasy themes and violence.

My five year old has grown up seeing his older brother become really good at Minecraft. Now he too is school-aged and we’ve introduced him to Minecraft on his own device. With some agreed time limitations and rules, such as only playing in the shared living space, and only adding approved friends, we’ve made this game age-appropriate for our gaming son.

Are you wondering whether the game Minecraft is appropriate for your young child?

Misogyny in our midst: Adolescence highlight what our research shows

The stunningly choreographed series Adolescence on Netflix is raising many questions and important conversations about the prevalence of misogyny in Western culture.

We’re not surprised by this topic, and we believe the conversation is an important one to continue. We are seeing themes of misogyny in a lot of the worst things our team must watch and classify in our daily work as we try to prevent harm for New Zealand audiences.

Why has the rating changed for the series that I'm watching?

Ever started watching a show with your parents feeling comfortable knowing you’re watching M (for mature audiences 16 years and over) level content only to be blindsided the following week with some raunchy sex scene that takes it into Restricted territory? Awkward right? How does this happen and who is making these rating decisions?

Why did A Minecraft Movie get this rating?

PG: Violence and scary scenes

Four misfits are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they'll have to master this world while embarking on a quest with an unexpected, expert crafter.

A Minecraft Movie was rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body and received a PG with content warnings for violence and scary scenes. Read our breakdown of this rating. 

Why did The Studio, Season 1, Episode 1 get this rating?

13: Drug use, coarse language

Matt Remick is the newly appointed head of Continental Studios; desperate for celebrity approval, he and his executive team at the movie studio must juggle corporate demands with creative ambitions as they try to keep movies alive and relevant.

The Studio, Season 1, Episode 1 is self-rated by Apple TV+ and received a 13 with content warnings for drug use and coarse language. Read our breakdown of this rating for the first episode aired to date. 

Why did The Rule of Jenny Pen get this classification?

R16: Sexual violence, cruelty and offensive language

While recovering from a stroke in a nursing home, a former judge discovers that one of the residents is terrorising the home with a child's puppet called Jenny Pen.

The Rule of Jenny Pen was classified by the Office and received an R16 with content warnings for sexual violence, cruelty and offensive language. Read our breakdown of this classification. 

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:

Mum's credit card shock after son unwittingly spends $6700 on popular online game Roblox (Stuff)

Modified toys, 3D-printed guns among police firearms seizures (1News)

TikTok launches fact-checked science feed (ThreeNews)