On Our Screens: A snapshot of how New Zealanders use age ratings in 2026
Caroline Flora, Chief Censor on July 23, 2026
Every day, New Zealanders make decisions about what to watch, play and share. Whether it's choosing a movie for family movie night, deciding if a new video game is right for your teenager, or finding the next show to stream, age ratings and content warnings are some of the tools people use to make informed choices.
Our latest On Our Screens 2026 survey shows that New Zealanders continue to value age ratings and warnings and want them to be consistent wherever they are watching.
Some of the key findings include:
- 91% of New Zealand parents and caregivers were involved in choosing a movie, show, or video game with a child or young person in the past year
- Among those making content choices with children, 60% always or often follow official age ratings
- 76% of New Zealanders support a consistent approach to age ratings across cinemas, streaming services, DVD/Blu-rays, and video games
These findings are encouraging because they show that age ratings remain an important part of helping people make informed viewing choices.
They also help us at the Classification Office understand where we can do more. That's why we continue to build practical resources for New Zealanders, including:
- Find a Rating: Browse our library of ratings and content warnings to help decide the right content for you and your whānau – use the Find a Rating database on our website. Look out for our featured decisions where we break down the most impactful content in popular and trending movies and series – spoiler-free!
- Blogs, resources, and research: Our website has loads of useful info about what different age ratings mean, how to talk with the whānau about what they’re watching or set up parental controls, there’s a gaming resource hub, fascinating research, and heaps more.
These resources can give you extra support to make confident choices for yourself, your whānau, and others.
Just as importantly, we want to hear from you if you think we've got it wrong.
If you've seen a movie, show, or video game with a rating or content warning you don't think reflects its content, you can make a complaint to the Classification Office. This includes movies you see in the cinema and content you watch on a streaming platform, such as Netflix, Disney+ or Neon.
Public feedback helps us understand emerging issues and ensures the classification system continues to reflect community expectations.
Whether you're looking for information before you press play or want to raise a concern about something you've watched, we're here to help.
You can read the full On Our Screens 2026 – Survey Snapshot for more insights into how New Zealanders are using age ratings today.
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