structure and staff
The Classification Office is an organisation of approximately 30 staff. Roughly half of these positions are classification officers appointed to assist the Chief Censor with classifying publications, and the remainder work in the Information Unit or provide technical and administrative support.
The Chief Censor is appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Internal Affairs, with the agreement of the Minister of Women's Affairs and the Minister of Justice.
Chief Censor
The Chief Censor is Dr Andrew Jack. Previously, Dr Jack was the Group Manager, Legal and Advisory Services at the New Zealand Customs Service and has also worked for the New Zealand Police as Chief Legal Advisor.
Dr Jack was appointed for a three year term commencing 7 March 2011.
Deputy Chief Censor
The Deputy Chief Censor is appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Internal Affairs, with the agreement of the Minister of Women’s Affairs and the Minister of Justice.
Nicola McCully was first appointed Deputy Chief Censor in September 2002. Prior to this appointment, Nicola was manager of the Office’s Classification Unit and had previously been an examiner for the Video Recordings Authority.
Classification Officers
Classification Officers are appointed to assist the Chief Censor in assessing and classifying publications. Approximately half of the staff of the Classification Office are classification officers.
The Information Unit
Public participation is an important part of the censorship process. The Information Unit deals with inquiries, complaints and information requests from the public, and can advise you on your options if you are concerned about a censorship issue.
The Information Unit is also responsible for:
Speakers and presentations on censorship
The Information Unit organises public presentations on censorship in New Zealand. If you are interested in a presentation for your school or community group, please contact the Information Unit who will be able to assist you, subject to availability of speakers.
Censor for A Day Programme
Every year, the Classification Office invites senior high school students from a different region in New Zealand to view a film before it is released and work through a mock classification exercise with the help of Classification Unit staff.
For more information, please contact the Information Unit.