Privacy and Transparency

Privacy

Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office collects and holds some personal information so that we can do what the law requires us to do, and report on how well we are doing this.

Scope

This privacy statement applies to information that is collected by Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office. This includes information collected:

  • through our website;
  • on our social media;
  • when you contact us directly by phone, email or letter; or
  • as part of the classification process.

Collection of personal information

Personal information is any information that is about an identifiable individual. We collect the personal information that we need to carry out our functions under the Classification Act.

We collect and retain the names and contact details (including email and postal addresses, phone numbers, and social media handles) provided by people who:

  • contact us by phone, email or letter;
  • engage with us on social media (see our Transparency statement for more information on how we use social media); or
  • submit a publication, or apply to submit a publication, for classification.

We may also receive personal information  from third parties, for example  when law enforcement agencies identify an the owner of a publication submitted for classification by law enforcement agencies.

Use of personal information

We only use personal information to carry out our functions under the Classification Act. This includes to:

  • determine the classification of a publication;
  • maintain a register of classification decisions;
  • maintain a database of films;
  • provide information about the Classification Office, and the procedure for classification; and
  • receive and respond to inquiries and complaints about the classification system.

The Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 requires us to maintain a publicly accessible register of classification decisions. The Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Regulations 1994 list the information that must be included in a classification decision. Some of this information may be personal information, including:

The Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Regulations also require us to publish the names of people who have made films which have had New Zealand classification labels issued for them. These can be found when searching our Find a Rating tool.

Sharing of information

We will not share your personal information with third parties, including other government agencies, unless one of the following applies:

  • you have consented to us sharing the information;
  • sharing the information is required or authorised by the law; or
  • it will be used in a way that will not identify you.

Some of the situations where we may be required or authorised by the law to share personal information include:

  • where the information we hold, that includes your personal information, is subject to a request under the Official Information Act 1982;
  • where we are required to share information with the labelling body, the Film and Literature Board of Review, or the courts, for classification related purposes; or
  • where the disclosure of the information is necessary to avoid prejudice to the maintenance of the law by a public sector agency.

Sometimes we may decide to share information you have provided us that isn’t personal information, such as the reasons for a complaint about a film or series on a streaming service, or information that you have requested from us under the Official Information Act 1982.

How we keep your information safe

We keep your information in compliance with our obligations under the Privacy Act 2020 and the Public Records Act 2005.

We use monitoring services, including monitoring services provided by third parties, to improve the security of our information technology systems.

Statistical information on this website and our social media

We collect statistical information about your visits to this website and our social media, to help us improve our content and perform our functions under the Classification Act. This includes information about your device, network, and web browser, and your interactions with our website or social media. Some of this information is collected by third party providers (including Google Analytics, Meta Business Suite and LinkedIn page analytics).

Our website and our third party providers use 'cookies', which are text files placed on your computer, to collect standard internet log information and visitor behaviour information anonymously.  This information does not identify individual users.

You can choose to disable cookies by modifying your browser settings. Disabling cookies will not affect your ability to use this website. Use the "Help" function in your browser to find out how to disable/enable cookies.

Subscribing to our newsletter

If you choose to subscribe to our newsletter, the email address that you provide will be collected by a third party service provider, using its software and acting on behalf of Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office. That third party service provider is Campaign Monitor.

Subscribing to our newsletter is optional and users can unsubscribe at any time. If you don’t want to receive our newsletter anymore, please use the links at the bottom of the newsletter email, or contact us.

Accessing or correcting your personal information

Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to request a copy of any of your personal information that we hold. You also have the right to request that we correct any of your personal information that we hold if you think it’s wrong.

If you have made a correction request, and we refuse to correct information because we believe it is accurate, you have the right to attach a statement to the information that explains the correction request.

Privacy requests, questions and concerns

If you have any questions about how we collect information, you would like to access or correct your personal information, or believe we have not acted in accordance with this privacy statement, you can contact us at:

Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office
88 The Terrace
PO Box 1999
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

Phone (within New Zealand): 0508 236 767

Phone (outside New Zealand): +64 4 471 6770

Email: info@classificationoffice.govt.nz

Further information

You can find more information about New Zealand’s privacy laws in the Privacy Act 2020, and on the Office of the Privacy Commissioner’s website.

Transparency

This transparency statement explains how we provide information to the public and use social media to engage with the community in Aotearoa New Zealand.

How we provide information to the public

Under section 88 of the Films, Videos, and Publications Act, Te Mana Whakaatu - Classification Office is required to provide information to the public about the functions and powers of the Office and the procedures for the classification of publications. The Office is also required to receive enquiries and complaints concerning the operation of the classification system established under the Act.

Classification decisions can be accessed on the Find a Rating page or the NZ Register page.

We can also provide copies of classification decisions upon request. You can request copies of our classification decisions by contacting our Information Unit inbox: info@classificationoffice.govt.nz

OIA requests

Our work is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). You are entitled to request information from us under the OIA. People in New Zealand can request official information from us, and it will be made available unless there is a reason to withhold it.

We publish our responses to Official Information Act requests on our website. When we publish responses, personal information is redacted.

You have the right to make a complaint and seek a review by the Ombudsman of this response under section 28(3) of the OIA. Information about this process is available at ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Find out how to make a request for official information here.

Social media transparency statement

We use social media as a communication channel. We use it with the objective of providing information and tools to the public, promoting transparency, fostering interactive relationships with our audiences, informing our own work, and enhancing trust in the classification system.

On our social media accounts we share:
  • information about the classification system and how it works
  • research insights, classification information, newsletters, and content guides
  • resources and information for rangatahi, parents, caregivers and communities
  • classification information about films, streaming content and video games

Engagement

We do not respond to all comments or private messages on social media. Instead, we encourage users to contact us through our office channels of physical mail, email or phone if they would like a response. If you have a query or question, please contact us directly via our Information Inbox: info@classificationoffice.govt.nz Or phone NZ: 0508 236 767 / intl: +64 4 471 6770.

How we use social media:

We love hearing from interested people and organisations and welcome all feedback whether positive, negative or simply curious, but we don't condone trolls.

Comments and posts are moderated by advisors in the Office’s Information Unit. We reserve the right to hide or remove comments that are offensive, threatening, or disrespectful, as well as those containing offensive language. Also, comments that are false, repetitive, or unrelated to the topic may be removed.

We may post on social media with the comments function turned off.

We aim to keep comments on our posts constructive and respectful. Users that continue to breach our guidelines may be restricted from commenting on our pages, and in some cases they may be reported, removed or blocked.

Anything that is hidden or deleted on our social media channels will be kept on record in line with our responsibilities under the OIA.

We may choose to share, @mention, or post information by other organisations and/or individuals for the interest and information of our followers. However, we do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of third party information.

We may follow/like organisations and individuals that are relevant to our organisation. This does not imply an endorsement or guaranteeing the accuracy of their information.

Read more about engaging with us on social media here: Engage with us on social media

Māori language strategy

We are committed to supporting implementation of the Maihi Karauna – the Government’s Strategy for Māori language revitalisation coordinated by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori.

We aim to keep our language inclusive and positive for everyone. We consider that using te reo Māori and terms like 'whānau', 'tamariki', 'rangatahi', and 'kia ora' on our website and social media doesn't affect how readable our content is.

If you are unsure about the meaning of a word we would recommend using www.maoridictionary.co.nz.

Enquiries and complaints

Members of the public can raise any concerns to the Classification Office about our work, including information gathering activities or use of social media. If you have any enquiries about our information gathering and social media activities, or believe we have not acted in accordance with the Transparency Statements above, you should contact us at the following address:

Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office
88 The Terrace
PO Box 1999
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

Phone (within New Zealand): 0508 236 767

Phone (outside New Zealand): +64 4 471 6770

Email: info@classificationoffice.govt.nz

All concerns and complaints will be dealt with in a timely manner.

Before making a request

Before making a request please check our other sources of information. You may find the information you require is already available.

More information can be found on our documents and reports page, including:

  • Previous OIA requests
  • Annual Reports
  • Statements of Intent
  • Our Chief Executive's expenses, gifts and hospitality disclosures

Related information