JULY NEWSLETTER 

Kia ora koutou

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary actor Sam Neill this week. Hunt for the Wilderpeople, starring Sam, is the top New Zealand film of all time and one of his incredibly endearing, memorable performances. If you're looking to rewatch it with the whānau these school holidays check out our featured decision before you press play.

We've been talking about A.I. a lot lately. I was interviewed recently about the potential for illegal content creation and the need for users to beware when creating their images using A.I. You can listen to the RNZ interview here, and over on our blog I dive deep into this topic.  

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 us on Facebook, Instagram 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: Sam Neill in Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Chief Censor: There is no AI loophole. What every New Zealander should know about creating harmful content

Artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to create realistic images and videos. But it has also created a dangerous misconception: that if something is AI-generated, it somehow sits outside the law. It doesn't. If AI-generated content meets the legal threshold for being objectionable, it can be banned in New Zealand. Read the full blog from Caroline Flora, Chief Censor. 

The Chief Censor was interviewed on RNZ's Morning Report: Chief Censor on AI deepfakes targeting teachers.

Tetris after distressing content: a simple, evidence-based tool for intrusive thoughts

When people encounter extreme or distressing content, whether in the news, online, or through social media, it can sometimes “stick” with us. These unwanted mental images or intrusive thoughts are a well-recognised response to upsetting content, especially when it is vivid or emotionally intense.

Over on the blog Caitlin looks at a surprisingly simple tool may help reduce the impact of these intrusive mental images: playing the video game "Tetris".

Forty years on: revisiting historical rainbow classification

On July 11th, 1986, New Zealand Parliament passed the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, redefining the course of our history. Appropriately, the anniversary falls within Aotearoa Queer History Month. At the Classification Office, we’re reflecting on our own journey four decades on.

Between 2022 and 2024, we undertook a project to revisit classification decisions made prior to homosexual law reform. We established a dedicated pathway to identify and source as many historical rainbow publications as we could obtain. In our reconsideration, we found the large majority of the material no longer met our legislative criteria and was subsequently unbanned.

Censorship balances the protection from harm with the right to exercise freedom of expression, a right that is factored into all of our classification decisions. We’re really proud that we were able to unban these historical texts, and reconsider past decisions in the context of our current laws.

Why did Supergirl get this rating?

M: Violence

Supergirl must track down an intergalactic thug so she can save a loved one. She is joined by a young girl seeking justice for the death of her own family.

Supergirl was rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body and received an M with a content warning for violence. Read our breakdown of this rating.

Why did Jackass: Best and Last get this classification?

R16: Nudity and offensive language

The final instalment from the long-running reality comedy franchise that is known for over-the-top stunts and absurd pranks packed with slapstick and gross-out humour. The film features footage from the series together with newly filmed content.

Jackass: Best and Last was classified by the Office and received a R16 with content warnings for nudity and offensive language. Read our breakdown of this classification.

Why did Minions & Monsters get this rating?

PG: Violence and coarse language

James, Henry and Ed set out on a mission to become filmmakers and stars, dreaming of winning an Oscar rather than following in the footsteps of their fellow minions, who are determined to serve the ultimate "big boss" on a path of evil.

Minions & Monsters was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body and received a PG with content warnings for violence and coarse 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:

How porn on social media has shaped young Kiwis’ sex lives – Under the Influence, episode 4 (NZ Herald)

Social media platforms ‘monetise gore and fringe content’, eSafety regulator tells antisemitism commission – The Guardian

BBFC classifies highest number of cinema films in its 113-year history as it deploys AI for the first time to support safer streaming – BBFC