30 Years of the Classification Office: Reflecting on Our Past and Looking to the Future

Our role has evolved significantly – what began with classifying films and publications has transformed into a responsibility that now spans across video games, streaming services, and content found in the complex online world. The Office's work has always been rooted in protecting New Zealanders from harm while upholding the right to freedom of expression, a balancing act that has remained crucial over the past three decades.

We have faced new challenges, from the rise of violent extremism and harmful digital content to the ever-changing landscape of media consumption. Yet, each challenge has strengthened our resolve and deepened our expertise. Through initiatives like the Youth Advisory Panel and ground-breaking research projects, we continue to place the needs and voices of New Zealanders at the heart of what we do.

Looking ahead, we are committed to maximising our impact, especially in the digital space. Our work in addressing online misogyny, violent extremism, and the impacts of social media on youth mental health sets the stage for the next era of our work. The future will see us build on our function of safeguarding and informing, while adapting to new technologies and platforms to ensure that all New Zealanders – especially our rangatahi – are equipped to navigate media safely and confidently.

To capture and celebrate this evolution, we’ve created a timeline that reflects our journey over 30 years. It not only highlights key milestones but also illustrates how our responsibilities and approaches have adapted to meet new challenges and opportunities. It serves as a visual testament to our progress and ongoing commitment.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we’ll be relaunching our parental controls campaign to better support New Zealanders in managing media consumption. We’re also excited to release a short documentary that explores our 30-year timeline, featuring two former Chief Censors and two Youth Advisory Panel members. This documentary and additional content will be available on our website and social media channels.

We owe our progress and our success to the commitment of many – from my predecessors, to our dedicated team and collaborators over the years, and to New Zealanders who trust us to continue delivering on our mission. Here's to the next 30 years and beyond, as we continue to protect, educate, and empower. Thank you for being a part of our journey.

Celebrating 30 Years – Documentary:

Further resources:

• 30 years of the Classification Office - Timeline
• Celebrating 30 years of the Classification Office - News