More harmful and harder to avoid: survey reveals widespread exposure to extreme or illegal content in New Zealand
More harmful and harder to avoid: survey reveals widespread exposure to extreme or illegal content in New Zealand.
New survey report highlights need to close gaps in knowledge about which online content is illegal in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Two-thirds (66%) of New Zealanders have seen extreme or potentially illegal content online, with one in ten (11%) reporting that the experience caused them some level of harm.
A new nationally representative survey commissioned by the Classification Office has found that exposure to extreme or illegal online content is a common experience for many people in Aotearoa.
The report, Online Exposure: Experiences of Extreme or Illegal Content in Aotearoa is based on a survey of 1000 New Zealanders aged 18 and over, and is understood to be the first of its kind to ask adults directly about their experiences with extreme or illegal content online in New Zealand.
The survey also shows that around half (49%) of the population believe encountering extreme or illegal content online is unavoidable, and majority (78%) think the likelihood of seeing it is increasing over time.
Chief Censor Caroline Flora says the research has highlighted for the Office that clearer, more direct public guidance is needed in response to the ease of access to harmful content online.
“We have been classifying this content for decades, but until relatively recently, objectionable content was hidden away in private chat rooms or the so-called “dark web”. The Internet has changed things. In 2026 we need to speak openly and frankly about what this content is because of the ubiquity of it in people’s daily lives,” says Flora.
“The availability of objectionable content, and the way the Internet has changed, has made this material far more accessible than it ever was before.
“When this kind of content feels unavoidable, people need clear guidance on what could be illegal and how to act,” says Flora.
It was found that most New Zealanders – around 8 in 10 – have a general awareness that some types of content are illegal.
However, there is widespread uncertainty about the specific types of content that might cross the legal threshold to become ‘objectionable’, which means it’s illegal to create, possess or share. More than half of the population (55%) feel they have a limited understanding about what might be illegal, and very few (4%) feel highly informed about it.
The research also found that most would consider reporting extremely harmful, dangerous or illegal online content, and many express some degree of trust in online platforms or law enforcement to remove this content.
“People want to do the right thing,” says Flora.
“The majority (86%) of New Zealanders indicated they would consider taking action by reporting extreme content to an official agency. But part of the reason many decide not to is because they’re unsure what content is actually illegal, and they’re not confident about how to report it.”
The survey builds on previous Classification Office research into misogyny, pornography, and body image content, which showed that New Zealanders – particularly young people – are being exposed to harmful material online.
Last year, the Office also spoke with young people through its Content That Crosses the Line consultations, where young people told the Office they were seeing and being impacted by this type of content.
In response to these research findings the Office has developed comprehensive public information on the types of objectionable content, where to report it, and helpline services.
“Our aim is to provide clarity by providing factual information about the types of content that may be illegal, along with guidance on how to report it and where to get help,” says Flora.
The Classification Office website has detailed information on objectionable content such as child sexual exploitation material (CSEM), extreme violence and cruelty, and other forms of content that are objectionable under New Zealand law.
ENDS: 599 words
Media enquiries
Please direct all media enquiries to the Information Unit Manager, Caitlin Wimsett: info@classificationoffice.govt.nz
For more information about the Classification Office, visit classificationoffice.govt.nz
Information about the Classification Office – Te Mana Whakaatu
The Classification Office – Te Mana Whakaatu is an independent Crown Entity with a statutory role to classify publications under the Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act 1993, including objectionable (illegal) publications that can cause real harm to individuals and communities.
Objectionable content can include text, video, images, and audio that promote things like extreme violence, sexual violence, child sexual exploitation, or terrorism. In Aotearoa, this content is illegal to make, share, and possess. The Office works closely with agencies like Police, Customs, and the Department of Internal Affairs to help protect Aotearoa from harmful online content.
Beyond classification, the Office’s prevention and education mahi supports rangatahi, whānau, educators, and community leaders to make informed choices about the content they consume, and how to stay safe.
The full report, Online Exposure: Experiences of Extreme or Illegal Content in Aotearoa, along with key findings and supplementary information, is available here.
New public information pages are available here.
Further resources
Subscribe to our news
Stay up to date with news from the Classification Office.
