Pornography and other sexually explicit content

Pornography is generally restricted to people aged 18 years and over in New Zealand. It’s not illegal for an underage person to watch R18 porn, but it is illegal to supply, show, or make it available to anyone under 18.

Some websites feature ‘objectionable’ content that’s against the law to make, possess or share. This includes things like sexual activity with children or young people (this is often called child sexual exploitation material), torture, rape or sexual assault, or sex with animals (aka “animal porn” or bestiality).

It can be confusing and disturbing seeing this type of content – and it’s not always easy to tell what’s legal or not. This page tells you what New Zealand law (the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993) says about pornography, where the legal line is, and what you can do if you come across sexual content you think might be illegal.

This information is for general understanding and awareness. It is not legal advice.

What is pornography?

Pornography (or ‘porn’) generally means nude or sexually explicit material – such as videos or images – intended to sexually arouse the viewer. It ranges from user-generated clips to commercial productions, and includes real-life, animated, and AI-generated content. However, calling all explicit content ‘pornography’ can be misleading or harmful. For instance, explicit content involving children is child sexual exploitation material.

Regardless of definitions, this page focuses on sexually explicit content that crosses the legal line and is banned in New Zealand.

What does pornography include?

Sexually explicit content, including pornography, comes in many forms – from written stories to images and videos. While it includes physical formats like magazines or DVDs, most content is accessed online and ranges from real-life content to animated, cartoon, or AI-generated material.

Is some sexual content illegal?

Sexually explicit content, including pornography, is generally restricted to people aged 18 years and over in New Zealand. However, some types of sexually explicit content are illegal to possess, share, or create. This content can sometimes feature on porn websites or social media, and it’s not always easy to tell what’s legal or not.

Sexual content is classified as ‘objectionable’ if it promotes or supports specific behaviours or activities. These include:

Sexual exploitation of children or young people

Sexually explicit content is illegal if it encourages sexual activity with children or young people or a sexual interest in them. Any type of sexual content (real-life, AI, and cartoon) featuring people who look like children or young teenagers is likely to be illegal, even if a child or young person seems to consent or makes the images themselves.

Many porn sites advertise ‘Teen’ or ‘Young looking’ categories – and there are some performers who look like young people. These are often performers who naturally appear younger or they may be made to look younger by wearing clothing like school uniforms. Even porn using adults can be illegal if they look and act like young people.

Learn more about child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) here.

Sexual violence or coercion, including sexual abuse, sexual assault, or rape.

Content depicting rape or non-consensual sexual activity is objectionable – and therefore banned – if it promotes or supports these acts. A lot of pornographic material might include themes of sexual violence or coercion, but this alone does not automatically make it illegal.

Many commercial productions feature aggressive roleplay or BDSM (consensual bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, and sadomasochism). Material showing consenting adults engaging in these fantasy scenarios is generally classified as restricted to adults (R18).

However, more extreme or harmful content can sometimes cross the legal line – especially if it looks like someone is forced to participate in an unwanted sexual act.

Learn more about sexual violence content here.

Sexual activity involving people and animals (bestiality)

Bestiality content refers to explicit content that shows, describes or implies sexual activity between a person and an animal. If this content promotes and supports bestiality by encouraging these behaviours or making them seem acceptable or desirable in real life, the content will be illegal.

Learn more about bestiality content here.

Sexual acts involving dead bodies (necrophilia)

Necrophilia content refers to explicit material that shows, describes, or implies sexual conduct with a dead person. If this content promotes and supports necrophilia by encouraging these behaviours or making them seem acceptable or desirable in real life, the content will be illegal.

Learn more about necrophilia content here.

What does “promote or support” mean?

In the context of pornography or other sexual content, promote or support means content that encourages, normalises, or presents certain sexual activities as acceptable or desirable.

Content that is not sexually explicit can also be banned if it promotes or supports these activities. For example, content providing instructions on committing sexual abuse or assault may be illegal regardless of whether explicit imagery is shown.

Are all representations of extreme pornography and harmful sexual content illegal? What about fiction, satire or news reporting?

The law, and the Classification Office, places a high priority on freedom of expression. The law does not ban all content that deals with extreme or illegal forms of pornography or other explicit sexual content.

Content that refers to illegal sexual content (for example CSEM) in a factual, critical, or harm-focused way, such as news reporting, education, or legal discussion, does not promote or support it and is not illegal.

References to illegal sexual content in fiction, film, or other forms of entertainment are not illegal, as long as the content does not endorse or encourage the behaviour. In some cases, an age restriction may apply because the material could be harmful for younger audiences (for example, an R16 film.)

About the Classification Office’s role and how the law works

The Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 balances freedom of expression with protecting people from harm – especially children and young people.

Every piece of content the Classification Office sees is different and to decide whether something is illegal it must consider each one on its own merits and carefully apply the Act and the principles of fairness and natural justice. There are also serious penalties for offences under the Act. This is why decisions about whether content is illegal are made by trained experts at the Classification Office, who, guided by the Act, follow a very transparent and fair process before making a decision.

You can read more about the classification process here.

Why or where might people come across extreme pornography and illegal sexual content?

Like any content, people can come across extreme or illegal pornography or other explicit sexual material in a variety of ways – for example, on social media feeds, websites, messaging apps, or by being shown content in person. Content might be unwanted or show up unexpectedly, or people might seek it out intentionally.

How to report harmful or illegal content

If you come across harmful, distressing, or illegal content online, it’s important to report it.

Reporting helps protect you, your whānau, and others, supports safer online spaces, and ensures the right agencies can act. You don’t need to be certain whether content is illegal, different New Zealand agencies can assess it and respond appropriately. You can report content even if it’s hosted overseas.

Find out who to report to and how to report harmful or illegal content in New Zealand.

How to Report Harmful or Illegal Online Content in New Zealand

People across Aotearoa have consistently told us they are concerned about the harms of extreme content. Young people, parents and caregivers, grandparents, aunties and uncles, educators, and community leaders are worried for themselves, for young people, and for their communities.

Addressing these harms is a shared effort, supported by clear laws, dedicated agencies, and community action. Together, we can reduce harm by not creating or sharing objectionable content, protecting wellbeing, and reporting harm when we see it.

Further reading

What’s next?

  • For parents and whānau: The Classification Office has a range of practical resources to help you support young people who may be encountering extreme content online, including pornography — from conversation starters to insights shared directly by rangatahi.
  • For educators and those working with young people: Our resources focus on supporting young people safely and confidently, including guidance on keeping yourselves safe in those conversations and knowing what to do if concerns arise.
  • For young people: Learning about this content is an important step in staying safe and understanding where the legal line sits. If you need to report something, you can find out how here. If you’d like to talk to someone, our list of support helplines is available here.

Other trusted resources

  • The Light Project – A resource page aimed at parents and whānau to help them get ready to talk to young people about porn.
  • In the Know – Developed by The Light Project alongside young people, this site offers tips, tools and pathways to help rangatahi navigate porn-related issues and online sexual experiences.
  • Check it Out - A sub-site of In the Know that answers a lot of tricky questions about sex and porn for young people.