The labelling body
The Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 established the labelling body to rate unrestricted level films and to issue the labels that must be affixed to films before they can be supplied to the public. The labelling body is an organisation approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs. The current labelling body is the Film and Video Labelling Body, Inc. Part of the approval process involves the Minister being satisfied that the labelling body is representative of persons engaged in-
/ the distribution or public supply of films in New Zealand, and/ the production of films in New Zealand, and
/ the public exhibition of films in New Zealand.
How the labelling body assigns a rating to your film
The process the labelling body uses to assign ratings is set down in the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Regulations 1994. The process takes place as a series of steps. The labelling body must follow them in order and only proceeds as far through these steps as is necessary. That is, if the labelling body is empowered to rate a film under step 1 then it does so.
Step One: Previous New Zealand Film Classifications
The labelling body must determine if the film was classified in New Zealand prior to the creation of the Office of Film and Literature Classification. If it has then the labelling body assigns the equivalent label under the current Act. For example, if a film was classified GA or Approved for general exhibition: recommended as more suitable for adults under the Films Act 1983, then the labelling body will assign the film a PG label (Parental guidance recommended for younger viewers).
The fourth schedule of the Regulations directs the labelling body as to which label it must assign.
If there is no previous New Zealand classification for this film then the labelling body proceeds to step 2.
Step Two: Decisions by Authorised Overseas Classification Authorities
The labelling body must then determine if the film has been classified by one of two authorised overseas classification authorities. The two authorities the labelling body is currently authorised to refer to are the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification and the British Board of Film Classification. The labelling body must check these overseas decisions in that order. That is, it will check the Australian decision, and only if there is no Australian decision will it then check for a British decision.
If the classification is one of the ones listed below, then the labelling body assigns a rating that is effectively the New Zealand equivalent. This process is commonly called cross-rating. For example, if the film has previously been classified as an M in Australia, then this will be translated into an M in New Zealand.
The film may have been classified in Australia as:
/ G (General – Suitable for all ages)/ PG (Parental Guidance - recommended for persons under 15 years)
/ M (Recommended for Mature Audiences - 15 years and over)
It may have been classified in Britain as:
/ U (Universal – Suitable for all)/ Uc (Universal – particularly suitable for young children)
/ PG (Parental guidance – General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children)
/ 12 (Suitable for persons of 12 years and over)
Step Three: The labelling body views the film
If, once the labelling body has viewed the film, they assess the content as being at an unrestricted level, they will rate it accordingly and issue the appropriate label. If the labelling body decides that it cannot issue a rating to your film, it will notify you of that fact. In this case your film will need to be submitted to the Classification Office for a classification.
The reasons why the labelling body may submit your film for classification
The labelling body submits material to the Office when
1. the film has been classified in Australia of the United Kingdom as approved for supply or exhibition to persons of or over 15 years of age
2. the film has been refused approval for supply or exhibition by an approved overseas classification authority
3. the labelling body is of the opinion that the film would be likely to be classified by the Office as a restricted or objectionable publication
4. the labelling body is having substantial difficulty determining the appropriate rating to assign to the film
5. there is disagreement among the persons who are carrying out the functions of the labelling body on the appropriate rating to assign to a film.