Classification standards important to Kiwis

  • 01/07/2016
Classification standards important to Kiwis

In your lifetime you may have learnt how to play videos, DVDs and Blu-ray - and now the internet has prevailed as king of content, catering to all future entertainment needs.

Most Kiwis prefer online viewing, according to a Colmar Brunton study commissioned by The Office of Film and Literature Classification - but that doesn't mean we don't value classification.

The study found that despite the rapidly changing media environment, Kiwis surveyed continue to trust official classifications.

"I don't let my kids watch anything that hasn't been rated - I trust the movie labels," a surveyed mother from Kapiti said.

"I just wish they were on everything, like TV and On Demand etc. I liken it to supermarket shopping - if it gets the Heart Foundation tick, then I feel better."

An earlier 2016 study also found that 83 percent of New Zealanders want classifications to be the same regardless of where they view content. Of this number, 66 percent of Kiwis prefer our colour-coded classifications opposed to international classifications.

New Zealand's Chief Censor Dr Andrew Jack said great care is put into classification to ensure consistency in line with public opinion, so this feedback is affirming.

"The consistent results from our research demonstrate the relevance and importance of traditional, trusted classifications in the online space," Dr Jack said.

"Hopefully the voices of the New Zealand public are heard  and in five years we can look back at this time of transition as a necessary step on the way to a comprehensive, platform neutral classification system."

Newshub.