Streaming content

Classifications vs ratings

You can expect to know the age-appropriateness of a film or show before it starts playing, and be shown warnings about content like sex, violence, or offensive language.

There are three ways that age ratings and content warnings can be determined for New Zealand audiences:

1. Classification
   Providers can submit content for classification by Te Mana Whakaatu. The Office views and classifies the content, and advises the streaming provider. The classification is added to the film database, and becomes searchable through Find a Rating.
2. Rating
   Providers can submit content for rating (including cross-rating from UK or Australian classifications) through the FVLB submission process. The FVLB generates a rating and advises the streaming provider. The rating is added to the film database, and becomes searchable through Find a Rating.
3. Self-rating
   Providers can self-rate using an approved self-rating system. The rating is provided to the Classification Office for inclusion in the film database, and becomes searchable through Find a Rating.

If content has been banned in New Zealand, then streaming providers are not allowed to make it available for New Zealand audiences. Content that has been classified as objectionable is listed on the NZ Register of Classification Decisions.

Who does this apply to?

All commercial streaming providers in New Zealand must show classification information for content that has been classified as restricted in New Zealand. And we strongly encourage streaming providers to show classification information for all content that has been rated in New Zealand, whether it is restricted (RP, R13, R16, and R18) or unrestricted (G, PG, and M).

Major commercial streaming providers operating in New Zealand, including Amazon’s Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Microsoft Movies & TV, Netflix, Neon, Crunchyroll (a Sony subsidiary), and YouTube Movies & TV are required by law to show classification information for content on their services and platforms. This list is available online.

Commercial streaming providers not included on this list are not exempt from showing classification information for any restricted content (eg, RP, R13, R16, or R18) they make available on their streaming service(s) in New Zealand.

Currently, streaming providers operating free-to-access services or platforms do not need to display classification information for content made available in New Zealand.

What do ratings look like?

Streaming providers must show the age rating (like G, PG, M, 13, 16 or 18) and the content warnings (such as "contains offensive language/violence/suicide"). These age ratings and content warnings are very similar to the classification information that New Zealand audiences are used to seeing at the movies, on film posters, or on DVDs bought or rented from a store.

Where should I expect to see New Zealand ratings when I’m streaming?

Providers must place this information close to the title of the content you’re going to watch, and ideally show rating information when the content starts playing.

The Department of Internal Affairs’ Digital Safety Team enforces the law that applies to streaming providers. You can read more about display requirements for streaming providers on their website and in the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Regulations 1994.

How to complain

We are focused on assisting streaming providers to effectively and consistently implement ratings and classifications so that New Zealanders receive quality information.

If you find rating or classification information that doesn’t provide enough warning, is incorrect, or is missing, please let us know.