FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER 

Kia ora koutou

In this monthly despatch we highlight NZ gothic horror Mārama which released in cinemas yesterday with a special RP16 classification. The period dramas are bountiful with Wuthering Heights also now on release, and Bridgerton returning for a fourth season on Netflix. All of these period costume dramas feature various levels of sex and offensive language. Check out our featured decisions to make the right viewing choice for you and your whānau. 

January saw the launch of our first ever nationally representative survey of New Zealanders about the extreme or potentially illegal content they are seeing. We welcomed the media coverage and wider community engagement with the findings of Online Exposure. 

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: Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie in Wuthering Heights. 

Our latest research is available now: Online Exposure: Experiences of Extreme or Illegal Content in Aotearoa

Two-thirds (66%) of New Zealanders have seen extreme or potentially illegal content online, with one in ten (11%) reporting that the experience caused them some level of harm. 

The report, Online Exposure: Experiences of Extreme or Illegal Content in Aotearoa is based on a survey of 1,000 New Zealanders aged 18 and over, and is understood to be the first of its kind to ask adults directly about their experiences with extreme or illegal content online. 

The full research report is available online.

Public views on offensive language harden, racial slurs least accepted, BSA study finds

We always eagerly await research updates from our colleagues at the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA). Their regular review of attitudes to offensive language informs our own classification work and is always fascinating to read.

This month they released their latest report in New Zealanders' tolerance for offensive language and found that tolerance has fallen in the past four years. This is reversing a long-term trend of softening attitudes. 

“This underscores the importance of audiences making informed choices about what they watch and listen to, and the usefulness of tools like classifications and audience advisories which help them do that,” BSA Chief Executive Stacey Wood says.

The new Language that may offend in broadcasting survey explored attitudes towards 31 terms and their use in different broadcasting contexts. These include swear words, racial and gender-based insults and blasphemy.

Read the full report on the BSA website

What we're noticing: DVDs are vintage now

In our new What we’re noticing series, we share trends, what we’re seeing in how New Zealanders are watching, sharing, and rediscovering media, and what that can mean for viewers today.

There was a time when DVDs were something you tripped over on the lounge floor, half-returned to their cases, still warm from the player. Now, they’re turning up in a different context entirely: carefully stacked, thrifted, collected. For some young people, DVDs are no longer outdated, they’re vintage.

Why are young people collecting DVDs? Is there any downside to collecting DVDs? In the blog Caitlin takes a look at this notceable trend where DVDs are vintage now.

Do you have a suggested title you'd like to see us feature in our Find a Rating section of classificationoffice.govt.nz? Get in touch at info@classificationoffice.govt.nz with your request.

Why did Mārama get this classification?

RP16: Domestic violence, violence and content that may disturb

In 1859 Victorian England, a young Māori woman fights to keep her identity by trying to find out what happened to her missing parents.

Mārama was classified by the Office and received an RP16 with content warnings for domestic violence, violence and content that may disturb. Read our breakdown of this classification. To learn more about RP classifications check out our blog on What is an RP classification?

Why did Bridgerton, Season Four, Part One get this rating?

16: Sex scenes and nudity

After meeting a mysterious woman in silver at the Bridgerton masquerade ball, the Ton’s most eligible rake, Benedict Bridgerton, decides he’s ready to find a wife. Determined to track her down, his search sends high society into a frenzy - and even catches the Queen’s attention. Meanwhile, a young maid named Sophie struggles with her employment and her past, as it becomes clear there is more to her story.

Bridgerton, Season Four was self-rated by Netflix and received a 16 with content warnings for sex scenes and nudity. Read our breakdown of this rating.

Why did Wuthering Heights get this rating?

M: Sex scenes and offensive language

A passionate and tumultuous love story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, exploring the intense and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. Inspired by Emily Bronte’s classic novel of the same name. 

Wuthering Heights was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body and received an M with content warnings for sex scenes and 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:

Two-thirds of New Zealanders have seen extreme content online (RNZ)

Discord launches teen-by-default settings globally (Discord press release) 

Check out our resource on parental controls for additional support on this topic: You're in control with parental controls.