OCTOBER NEWSLETTER 

Kia ora koutou 

Were you able to take a mental wellbeing break last week during Mental Health Awareness week? I shared some thoughts about our practices here at the tari, both on the blog and on our socials. 

Last week Paddy Gower's show 'Paddy Gower Has Issues' looked at AI chatbots and highlighted how these can be dangerous if left unchecked. We've created an FAQ on our website about chatbots so that you can be informed, especially when tamariki are involved. 

We've received a few complaints and enquiries from caregivers in the past month who wanted to take their children to an anime film screening at the cinema because of our classification decision.

The film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle is a continuation of manga and an anime series which older tamariki may already be aware of. We have rated the film R13 and it contains intense violence, depictions of suicide, cruelty, and other disturbing elements. We wrote a blog on the topic to help caregivers and viewers be informed about those elements of the film. Other films in the series have also been classified R13.

As always, if members of the public don't agree with our decisions they are welcome to get in touch with our Information Unit team at info@classificationoffice.govt.nz. We want to hear from you if you think a classification or rating, including self-ratings on streaming platforms, isn't quite right. 

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: Glen Powell in Chad Powers

Topping Up Together for Mental Health Awareness Week

Here at Te Mana Whakaatu – The Classification Office, we take “topping up together” seriously. We know that looking after each other’s wellbeing makes a big difference – and on the blog, we’re sharing how we do that within our team, and what we have on offer to help you top up too.

Check out our resources and those on the Mental Health Awareness site, and let’s keep topping up together.

Children and Chatbots: Your questions answered

Are chatbots legal in New Zealand? Are chatbots safe for children? AI chatbots are becoming more common, whether it's a smart speaker at home or a helper built into apps that young people use. They can be fun and useful, but there are a few things for parents and whānau to keep in mind. 

We answer your questions in this resources developed for parents and caregivers.

Can my child watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle is one of the most anticipated anime films of the year. It’s a dramatic, action-heavy continuation of the Demon Slayer series, bringing fans into an intense showdown between the Demon Slayer Corps and their most dangerous enemies yet.

But the big question for parents is: is this film okay for your tamariki? We have classified it R13 with content warnings for bloody violence, suicide and content that may disturb.

In the blog we break down the strongest content so you can understand why this film is classified R13.

All the red flags in The Summer I Turned Pretty

The series may have wrapped up after three seasons, but the excitement for The Summer I Turned Pretty is far from over – a movie has just been announced, and fans are buzzing. Social media is still flooded with clips from past seasons, cast interviews, and now speculation about what the movie could bring.

The burning question during the series run was always: Who will Belly pick? But for parents, the more important question remains: is this the right pick for a whānau watch? 

The Summer I Turned Pretty is self-rated 16 by Prime Video because of the strongest episodes in season 3 (episodes 5 & 7). In the blog Caitlin highlights some red flags and how to discuss those with your young person when watching together. 

Why did One Battle After Another get this classification?

R16: Violence, offensive language, and sexual material

Sixteen years after abandoning his radical past and starting over, former political rebel Bob Ferguson finds his quiet life upended when his teenage daughter Willa disappears. To save her, Bob is drawn back into a dangerous world of betrayals and old comrades, where he must confront his long-time nemesis and the violent forces of white supremacy that still linger in the shadows.

One Battle After Another was classified by the Office and received an R16 with content warnings for violence, offensive language, and sexual material. Read our breakdown of this classification.

Why did Monster: The Ed Gein Story get this rating?

18: Graphic violence, horror, sexual violence

Monster: The Ed Gein Story is based on the real-life crimes of infamous serial murderer and “body snatcher” Ed Gein, also known as the “Butcher of Plainfield.”

Gein was known for digging up bodies and using their skin and bones to make things like furniture and clothes. His crimes inspired films including Psycho and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story was self-rated by Netflix and received an 18 with content warnings for graphic violence, horror, and sexual violence. Read our breakdown of the rating.

Why did Chad Powers get this rating?

16: Offensive language

A former college quarterback attempts a comeback by posing as a walk-on player for a struggling football team.

Chad Powers was self-rated by Disney+ and received an 16 with a content warning for offensive language. 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:

Auckland teacher warns students traumatised by viral Charlie Kirk shooting video on social media (NZ Herald YouTube video interview)

'Not surprising in the slightest': Young men acknowledge teachers' warning about online extremism (The Press)

'Hope is not an option': Select committee hears digital harm protections long overdue (The Spinoff)