Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993

Classification of publications - Examination and classification of publications

23: Examination and classification

You could also call this:

"How the Classification Office checks and rates films and publications"

Illustration for Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993

When you submit a publication to the Classification Office, they will examine it as soon as possible to decide its classification. After examining the publication, the Classification Office will classify it based on what they have found and taking into account the matters referred to in sections 3 to 3D. They will classify the publication as unrestricted, objectionable, or objectionable except in certain circumstances. The Classification Office can classify a publication as objectionable except in certain circumstances, such as if it is only available to people of a certain age, or to specific people or groups, or if it is used for specific purposes like education or art. You should note that the Classification Office can also classify a publication as restricted so that it can be made available to certain people or groups for special purposes. This means that some publications that might otherwise be classified as objectionable can still be made available to people who need them for certain reasons.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM313453.

This page was last updated on 8 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Arts and culture > Arts fundingArts and culture > Heritage protectionCrime and justice > Criminal lawGovernment and voting > Government departments

22D: No action to lie against service providers and online content hosts, or

"Protection for online service providers and content hosts from legal action"

24: Soundtrack to be considered, or

"Consider the Music and Sounds with the Film"

Part 3Classification of publications
Examination and classification of publications

23Examination and classification

As soon as practicable after a publication has been submitted or referred to the Classification Office under this Act, the Classification Office shall examine the publication to determine the classification of the publication.
After examining a publication, and having taken into account the matters referred to in sections 3 to 3D, the Classification Office shall classify the publication as—
unrestricted; or
objectionable; or
objectionable except in any 1 or more of the following circumstances:
1. if the availability of the publication is restricted to persons who have attained a specified age not exceeding 18 years:
2. if the availability of the publication is restricted to specified persons or classes of persons:
3. if the publication is used for 1 or more specified purposes.

Without limiting the power of the Classification Office to classify a publication as a restricted publication, a publication that would otherwise be classified as objectionable may be classified as a restricted publication in order that the publication may be made available to particular persons or classes of persons for educational, professional, scientific, literary, artistic, or technical purposes.

Compare

1963 No 22 s 10
1983 No 130 s 15(1), (2)
1987 No 85 s 23(1)

Notes

Section 23(2): amended, on 22 February 2005, by section 11(1) of the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 2).
Section 23(2)(c)(i): amended, on 22 February 2005, by section 11(2) of the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 2).