Our monthly update shines a spotlight on the great work done to inform and empower New Zealanders No images? Click here JANUARY/FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER Kia ora koutou In the nearly two months since we last despatched our e-newsletter update the festive season has revived us, the change of Prime Minister has surprised us, and the weather has devastated a whole lot of us. Kia kaha to our friends, colleagues and whanau around the motu who have endured significant climate change events. Ka aroha atu ki a koutou, ki ngā whānau o Te Tai Rāwhiti, Te Tai Tokerau me Tāmaki Makaurau. In January we had an office presentation from Marinus La Rooij about his research on the history of the radical right in Aotearoa, specifically conspiracy theories and their genesis in the 1930s. It's notable that catastrophic events that result in loss, trauma, and distrust in authorities can be breeding grounds for conspiracy theories to take hold, sometimes across generations. We've been breaking down the ratings for each of the Oscar-nominated films during December, January and into February with our featured rating 'Quick Takes'. We aim to avoid spoilers but also give you fair warning about the challenging scenes contained within a film or series. You can read about the tough parts of The Banshees of Inisherin, whether Avatar: The Way of Water may or may not be suitable for your pre-teen, and why Amsterdam has an M rating. The Academy Awards are handed out on Monday 13 March from 1pm NZT. On the blog we address the bums, boobs and bits on-screen, how nudity is rated. We also take a look at handling those tricky conversations when 'everyone at school is watching it' but it's not age-appropriate for your rangatahi. 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 here. Be sure to follow our socials too. Aroha atu, aroha mai, tātou i a tātou — Chief Censor Caroline Flora #Mātakitahi #WatchTogether #Kōrerotahi #TalkTogether Image: Noemie Merlant as Francesca Lentini in TÁR Calling all Librarians! Did you know that we can help? We're always eager to help if you have labelling enquiries about publications in your library catalogue. Especially if you're re-labelling books and there appear to be different classifications for the same text, or unusual restrictions (such as restrictions to people in a specific profession). Just reach out to us at info@classificationoffice.govt.nz. An RP classification for a heavy topic, worthy of discussion It's illegal in New Zealand to take children to restricted films. That means any film with an “R” classification is too harmful for tamariki and rangatahi under the specified age to watch. Even babies aren't allowed into restricted films. That’s the law, but there’s one exception to restrictions and it’s in the flexibility of an “RP” classification. Our most recent RP classification is for Women Talking (released in New Zealand on 16 February 2023), which received an RP13. The classification means that people younger than 13 can watch the film, but only with a parent/guardian. Rangatahi aged 13 and over can see the film on their own, or with anyone else 13 or older. This film deals with a heavy topic, worthy of discussion for people who are navigating their own difficult conversations, making sense of the world and each other, and learning empathy for their peers. Cinema has the power to transport and transform, which is why we didn’t make this decision lightly. We believe this film has merit for young people, and that it is safe for them to view and discuss it, despite the difficult subject matter. Read more on the blog about this classification and the decision behind it. C3P releases analysis of financial sextortion victim posts published on r/Sextortion The Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) has released a new report about the reality of financial sextortion through their analysis of almost 6,500 posts on the Reddit form, r/Sextortion. C3P found that:
New Minister AppointedWe welcome and congratulate Hon Barbara Edmonds on her appointment as the Minister for Internal Affairs. Te Mana Whakaatu - Classification Office performs its role independent of the Government, and the Minister for Internal Affairs is the responsible Minister under the Crown Entities Act 2004. Hon Edmonds is the 37th Minister for Internal Affairs, and also the Minister for Pacific Peoples. We look forward to working with her and her colleagues at the Department for Internal Affairs to deliver the best outcomes for New Zealanders. We wish to acknowledge the mahi of Hon Jan Tinetti. We enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Hon Tinetti and her office and wish her well in her new appointment as Minister for Education. Streaming platforms, R-ratings and tricky conversationsEveryone at school is watching it, even people younger than me! Sound familiar? It’s hard raising tamariki in a time of streaming platforms full of movies and shows. Everything is so accessible all the time, and it’s a lot for young people to take in when they might not be ready for it (see our Brain Development video for more on this). And it gets more complex as kids get older and they find out that their friends’ families have different rules. When it comes to age ratings for movies and shows, setting boundaries and keeping your whānau onside with your rules can be a challenge. Read more on the blog. Bums, boobs and bits on-screen We look out for nudity when we classify films, series and games. You might be surprised to know that nudity just on its own might not warrant an age restriction. While we know that people can feel uncomfortable about seeing nudity it is important to understand what the real harm is – especially for our younger viewers. Here at the Office we aim to support and help New Zealanders make good choices about what they watch. This is all while balancing their right to have control over their content choices. Restricting or banning nudity simply isn’t the answer but knowing your rating and having really good kōrero about it can be useful. Read more on the blog. Why did Pamela, a Love Story get this rating?16: Domestic violence, nudity, sexual violence themes In her own words with her own personal videos and diaries, Pamela Anderson’s documentary recounts the pop-icon’s turbulent life of love and scandals. This film was self-rated by Netflix and received a 16 Domestic violence, nudity, sexual violence themes. Read our Quick Take for the full breakdown of this rating. Why did All Quiet on the Western Front get this classification?R16: Graphic violence and content that may disturb Im Westen Nichts Neues (All Quiet on the Western Front) is a German film that follows the trials of Paul Bäumer and his friends, as the young men sign up to Germany’s effort in World War I. Despite their eagerness to be heroes, they are soon introduced to the grim brutality of trench warfare. This film was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu and received an R16 Graphic violence and content that may disturb. Read our Quick Take for the full breakdown of this classification. Why did The Banshees of Inisherin get this rating?M: Offensive language, nudity and content that may disturb A friendship abruptly ends after Colm (Brendan Gleeson) starts ignoring his lifelong pal and drinking buddy, Pádraic (Colin Farrell), without really explaining why. Heartbroken and confused, Pádraic desperately tries to resolve the breakdown of their relationship as things take a dramatic turn for them both. This film was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body and received an M Offensive language, nudity and content that may disturb. Read our Quick Take for a breakdown of the rating. Why did Tár get this rating?M: Offensive language and nudity Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett) is widely considered one of the greatest living composer-conductors and the very first female director of a major German orchestra. The film follows the downfall of her career after misconduct allegations are made. This film was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body and received an M Offensive language and nudity. Read our Quick Take for a breakdown of the rating. Because our work involves 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. Allowing kids to watch latest Batman akin to 'child abuse' (Irish Examiner) Lockdowns linked to tenfold rise in child abuse imagery (BBC) Heaven or High Water - Selling Miami's last 50 years (Popula.com)
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