the 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 Office is currently without a Chief Censor. Until a new Chief Censor is appointed, Deputy Chief Censor Nicola McCully will exercise the powers and functions of the role.
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.
The Deputy Chief Censor of Film and Literature
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 appointed Deputy Chief Censor in September 2002. Nicola brings eight years of censorship experience to this role. Prior to this appointment, Nicola was manager of the Office’s Classification Unit and had previously been an examiner for the Video Recordings Authority.
Nicola has recently completed the Advanced Management Programme at Mt Eliza Business School in Melbourne.
Prior to working in censorship Nicola worked with special needs children in a Christchurch primary school following her completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and education.
Since the departure of former Chief Censor Bill Hastings, Nicola McCully has been fulfilling the powers and functions of Chief Censor of Film and Literature.
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.