How to Report Harmful or Illegal Online Content in New Zealand

If you come across harmful, distressing, or illegal content online, it’s important to report it. We all have a role to play: not creating or sharing objectionable content, taking action when we see it to protect our own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others, and helping to hold offenders accountable through reporting.

Every report helps to protect you, your whānau, and others, supports safer online spaces, and ensures the right agencies can act. Whether the content is hosted in New Zealand or overseas, there are agencies in New Zealand that can help.

This page explains how to report harmful or objectionable content in New Zealand, who to contact, and what to do if you or someone else has seen something upsetting.

Jump ahead to the following sections:

How do I report harmful content on social media or websites?

Who should I report objectionable or illegal content to in New Zealand?

Helplines and support services

How do I report harmful content on social media or websites?

Most social media platforms and websites have tools to report harmful, violent, or illegal material. Using these tools helps remove content quickly and safely.

Reporting tools on popular social platforms

Using “Not interested” and similar tools

In addition to reporting harmful content, many platforms also let you tell them when you don’t want to see certain material. Options like “Not interested,” “Hide,” “Mute,” or “See less like this” help train the platform’s algorithm to show you less of that type of content in future.

Using these tools can be especially helpful if content is upsetting but doesn’t clearly meet the platform’s reporting thresholds. Over time, this helps curate your feed so you’re less likely to come across similar harmful or distressing material again, supporting your wellbeing and creating a safer online experience.

You can usually find these options by tapping the three dots or menu on a post or video.

Who should I report objectionable or illegal content to in New Zealand?

Different New Zealand agencies handle different kinds of harmful or illegal content.
Use the guide below to decide where to report.

The Classification Office - Te Mana Whakaatu

What we do:
The Classification Office helps prevent harm from illegal or dangerous content by classifying objectionable or extremely harmful content. This work is complemented by our prevention work, which supports rangatahi, whānau, and communities to make informed choices and keep New Zealanders safe. We also work alongside agencies such as Police, Customs, Netsafe and the Department of Internal Affairs, and international groups to help protect Aotearoa from harmful content.

We also classify films, games, and support streaming services, providing age ratings and content information so New Zealanders can make informed viewing choices.

See our website or contact us if:

  • You need to understand what makes certain content illegal or objectionable
  • You’re seeking advice about media harms, prevention, or classification
  • You want to know about our ratings and restrictions and how they help protect audiences

classificationoffice.govt.nz

www.classificationoffice.govt.nz/about/contact/

0508 236 767

New Zealand Police

What they do:
Police respond when there’s immediate harm, threats to life and physical safety, or criminal activity.

Report to Police if:

  • Someone is in immediate danger
  • You’ve seen real violence, threats, or planned attacks
  • You’re concerned about radicalisation or violent extremism

How to report:
If you’re concerned about the immediate safety of you or someone else, call 111 or visit

105.police.govt.nz for non-urgent reports

Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)

What they do:
DIA investigates and seeks removal of objectionable or illegal digital material, such as child sexual exploitation material, bestiality and violent extremist content, including AI/CGI generated content.

Report to DIA if:

  • You find child sexual exploitation material.
  • You see extremist or terrorist videos or propaganda
  • Or anything that could be considered objectionable

How to report:
Report objectionable material at dia.govt.nz
Censorship@dia.govt.nz

New Zealand Customs Service

What they do:
Customs investigates the importing or exporting of objectionable publications, including physical and digital files such as USBs, DVDs, or online transfers that breach New Zealand law.

Report to Customs if:

  • You suspect someone is importing or exporting illegal material
  • You find evidence of objectionable publications being sent across borders

How to report:
customs@customs.govt.nz
customs.govt.nz/contact-us/report
0800 4 CUSTOMS (0800 428 786)

Netsafe

What they do:

Netsafe helps with online harm, bullying, harassment, image-based abuse, and privacy breaches. They provide free, confidential support and can help get harmful content removed.

Report to Netsafe if:

  • Someone is being bullied, harassed, or threatened online
  • Private or intimate images have been shared without consent
  • Online behaviour or posts are causing serious emotional distress

How to report:
0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723)
netsafe.org.nz/report

Helplines and support services

Find trusted helplines in New Zealand for online harm, mental health, family violence, and rainbow support. Get guidance safely and confidentially.

Our detailed resource explains who to contact, what they do, and how they can help.

If you’re unsure who to contact, a good starting point is Netsafe for online harm, or 1737 for mental health support or Youthline for rangatahi support. All three can guide you to the most appropriate service.

If someone is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, please call 111.