Our monthly update shines a spotlight on the great work done to inform and empower New Zealanders No images? Click here DECEMBER NEWSLETTER Kia ora koutou Our annual report is now available online and provides an overview of our mahi across my first full year in the role of Kairāhui Whakaaturanga Poumatua, Chief Censor for Te Mana Whakaatu. I’m proud of the mahi of the Office, how critical our role is, and how we’re responding to what New Zealanders are telling us they need. This past year has shown me that the Office is well equipped to continue delivering information and ratings for New Zealanders that are relevant and that help them to make informed choices about what they, and their rangatahi and tamariki, watch. Looking to the past month we've released an unrestricted decision on an educational sex book, released our Youth Advisory Panel annual report, and provided resources to support us all as harmful content comes out of Israel and Gaza. 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 too. Aroha atu, aroha mai, tātou i a tātou — Chief Censor Caroline Flora #Mātakitahi #WatchTogether #Kōrerotahi #TalkTogether Image: Vanessa Kirby and Joaquin Phoenix in Napoleon. ![]() Our Annual Report 2022/23 is now available onlineChallenges continue apace but throughout the past 12 months Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office has proven to be responsive, nimble, and resilient in the evolving content environment. We do our best to take modern, reasoned approaches to modern, complex demands. Our Annual Report for the financial year 1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023 is now available online. Our Youth Advisory Panel Report 2022-23 is now available online"Our monthly meetings are visible proof that the youth of Aotearoa are heard and that we can make a difference, no matter what our age is." — YAP member The YAP annual report for 2022-23 demonstrates the impact of young people in keeping our classification system relevant. The voices of rangatahi are echoed in our daily work as well as assisting wider government and not-for-profit organisations. "I love working with rangatahi and seeing the power of the youth voice enrich and reshape government thinking." — Te Mana Whakaatu facilitator The Office established the Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) in 2018 as part of a wider youth engagement strategy. Young people are most impacted by the work we do, so it makes sense to fully involve them in New Zealand's classification system. ![]() Unrestricted classification for sex educationTe Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office’s unrestricted classification for the book Welcome to Sex! allows parents and whānau to decide if the educational resource is right for their teenagers. In November we issued a classification decision for the publication, written by Dr Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes, making it unrestricted. The book is clearly designed as an educational book for teenagers. We received 15 original requests for the book to be classified and the Chief Censor made the decision to classify it under section 13(1)(c) of the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 (the Act). The Office invited the publisher, library associations, the Booksellers Association and Department of Internal Affairs to make submissions, along with the 15 members of the public who made initial requests for the book to be classified. We subsequently received over 400 additional emails from members of the public requesting that the book be classified. “For young people seeking information about sex, resources like this provide an alternative to pornography or other material online that could be harmful. The classification allows parents to determine if it's right for their teens. Restricting this publication would take away the ability of parents and whānau to use this publication as an educational tool in discussions around sex. It would also make this educational resource less accessible than online pornography, which we know from our previous research is often the ‘go-to’ for young people curious to find out more about sex.” -— Chief Censor Caroline Flora. Keeping ourselves safe during difficult timesDuring times of global conflict, a lot of upsetting imagery and videos can start popping up on our social media feeds. The fast pace of social media can sometimes make us feel overwhelmed by the upsetting content. Over on the blog Caitlin discusses a few ways to keep safe whilst navigating the content being shared online about the events unfolding in Israel and Gaza. The Neutral Zone: Talking with Young PeopleParenting young people can be a challenge. Wading our way through the “fines”, closed doors and high emotions seems to be a never-ending roller-coaster. It’s even more daunting not understanding the different challenges this generation face today. Over on the blog Caitlin shares some tips on how to connect and have those much-needed conversations around what's going on for young people. Why did Napoleon get this classification?R13: Violence, offensive language and sex scenes A young French captain named Napoleon Bonaparte leads his forces to a series of military victories. His successes in battle lead to him taking control of the French Empire, while struggling to maintain control of his marriage to Empress Joséphine – and his own destiny. This film was classified by the Office and received an R13: Violence, offensive language and sex scenes. Read our breakdown of the classification. Why did Squid Game: The Challenge get this rating?M: Offensive language Inspired by the Netflix series Squid Game, 465 real-life contestants compete in a series of challenges based on Korean children's games for a $4.56 million cash prize – the largest single cash prize in history. This film was self-rated by Netflix and received an M: Offensive language. Read our breakdown of the rating. Why did Robbie Williams get this rating?16: Drug use UK music artist Robbie Williams, reflects on his music career. The docuseries includes 30 years of behind-the-scenes footage of Williams revisiting his drug and alcohol misuse, relationships and mental health journey. This film was self-rated by Netflix and received a 16: Drug use. Read our breakdown of the 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: Christmas conundrums, from gifts to parties to avoiding Covid: What you need to know (RNZ) End of an era - goodbye to Saturday Mornings with Kim Hill by Hera Lindsay Bird (North & South) The UK Online Safety Act – Keeping you informed here (Technology Law Dispatch)
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