# New Zealand bans YA novel **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 10, 2015, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513 "2015-09-10T13:10:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/21 "2015-09-11T03:05:23Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > In other words-- Not Banned, In the Process of Being Re-Classified. No need to re-install Queen Elizabeth as your head of government. We still have her, not getting rid of ol’ Liz for sometime I think. Australia are probably closer to becoming a republic than us Kiwis are. ---
**Author:** ![Jaguars](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaguars/32/5879_2.png) [@Jaguars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaguars)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/22 "2015-09-11T04:06:22Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > The Office for Film and Literature Classification has a detailed page about what’s [happened here.](http://www.censor.org.nz/resources/case-studies/into-river.html) In summary: > > 1. The initial classification was by the OFLC was M (unrestricted and suitable for mature audiences 16 years and over). > 2.This was changed by the Board of Review to R14: ‘parental advisory explicit content’ (the chairman wanted R18 but was outvoted). > > 3.Then the OFLC reconsidered the Board of Review’s decision and removed the Age restriction. Don’t ask me why this can happen. > > 4.Now the Board of Review has issued an interim restriction while it reviews the OFLC’s reconsideration of the Board’s Review of the OFLC’s initial classification. > > TL/DR It’s a bureaucratic clusterfuck, that’ll probably sorted next month. Since when did we age classify books anyway? I’ve never seen any aside from pornographic mags. (E: Age restrictions, not books :D) Anyway, the clue is in the complainant name - _Family first NZ_. As elsewhere, the word “Family” is euphemism for “The type of Christians that get their jollies from showing off their superior morality in public.” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/23 "2015-09-11T04:20:10Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Is Claverhouse our resident monarchist? I think he is. Monarchist, Jacobite, and honest-to-Og believer in the Divine Right of Kings. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/24 "2015-09-11T04:24:17Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > In other words-- Not Banned, In the Process of Being Re-Classified. No need to re-install Queen Elizabeth as your head of government. She’s still the Head of State, at least through her representative, and the current clusterfuck over the flag means that any attempt to cut ties with the monarchy is doomed to failure: you have to wonder if the whole thing isn’t a false flag - heh - operation by John Key to permanently discredit any sort of change. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/25 "2015-09-11T04:50:47Z")
When I said “head of state”, I meant someone who actually made laws. Sure, she _could_ declare the book banned, but she really is just a figurehead. I misspoke. Oops. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/26 "2015-09-11T04:57:28Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > [http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/08/asia/new-zealand-book-ban/?iid=ob\_article\_organicsidebar\_expansion&iref=obnetwork](http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/08/asia/new-zealand-book-ban/?iid=ob_article_organicsidebar_expansion&iref=obnetwork) > > I’m surprised a liberal democracy like New Zealand even has an official procedure for this. Actually most liberal democracies have book and film banning procedures. The US is the exception because of your constitution. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/27 "2015-09-11T05:05:46Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Actually most liberal democracies have book and film banning procedures. The US is the exception because of your constitution. At least we’ve got one thing right. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/28 "2015-09-11T05:31:28Z")
I agree. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/29 "2015-09-11T06:26:49Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > At least we’ve got one thing right. 😉 Clearly it’s time for the United States to quickly and decisively implement a constructive regime change in New Zealand. I suggest we call it OPERATION KIWI FIRE-STALLION-EXPLOSION-BOOBS-VOLCANO. That should get those whiney peaceniks on board. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/30 "2015-09-11T07:28:15Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Sure, she _could_ declare the book banned, but she really is just a figurehead. I misspoke. Oops. No, she really, really couldn’t. The Queen lacks all executive powers. She’s Head of State, not Prime Minister. If she tried to have a book banned, or a street named after her dog, for that matter, there’d be a constitutional crisis. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/31 "2015-09-11T07:35:55Z")
There seems to be this misapprehension among a lot of Americans that the Queen can rule by absolute _fiat_ like a monarch in a Disney cartoon, and only doesn’t because she’s personally nice. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/32 "2015-09-11T12:27:18Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > In other words-- Not Banned, In the Process of Being Re-Classified. No need to re-install Queen Elizabeth as your head of government. > [@Biggirl](#): > > When I said “head of state”, I meant someone who actually made laws. Sure, she _could_ declare the book banned, but she really is just a figurehead. I misspoke. Oops. You said ‘head of government,’ which she is not. Right the first time. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/33 "2015-09-11T15:15:40Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > You said ‘head of government,’ which she is not. Right the first time. Thanks for this clarification. Seriously. I was all confused. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/34 "2015-09-11T15:24:07Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > India banned Salman Rushdie’s _The Satanic Verses_ and guess what? People found a way to get copies in, and it was widely read. Thailand banned it at the time too. Late 1980s. My father was still alive back then, and I got him to mail me a copy. There’s something about reading a banned book inside a country where it’s banned that is exciting. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/35 "2015-09-11T15:44:58Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > The US is the exception because of your constitution. [O](http://ncac.org/update/tin-drum-censors-have-tunnel-vision/) [RLY?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_Nasty_As_They_Wanna_Be) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/36 "2015-09-11T16:01:00Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > [O](http://ncac.org/update/tin-drum-censors-have-tunnel-vision/) [RLY?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_Nasty_As_They_Wanna_Be) Yes, obscenity does not have first amendment protection. This is worthy of a nitpick, though. I’m not aware of any federal laws that ban items nationally even though state and local ones galore exist. That doesn’t mean that bans haven’t been placed. The loophole that was once used made it illegal to use the mail to send obscene material. It’s also possible that transporting over a state line could be prosecuted. Bringing in prohibited material through customs was also illegal. But a straight-up national ban hasn’t happened. If my memory is wrong, I’d be glad to be corrected. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/37 "2015-09-11T17:02:28Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > Obviously as a liberal democracy Australia has one of the most admired vigorous internet censorship programs in the world, but New Zealand is catching up. Can you give me a list of the books that Australia has banned over the past 5-10 years? Given that I mostly work with Australians, I’d like to discuss this with them. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2015, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/38 "2015-10-14T07:30:04Z")
Update. The novel’s classification has been reviewed and it has been released with no age restrictions at all, I can read it to my two month old baby if I wish. > **[Ban on Into the River novel lifted](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/286999/ban-on-into-the-river-novel-lifted)** > > Banned book Into the River can now be bought, borrowed and displayed after a decision by the Film and Literature Board to classify it as unrestricted. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2015, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/39 "2015-10-14T07:53:41Z")
It includes “gratuitously explicit” underage sex, and it’s legal to own? I’m curious, but I wouldn’t be game to read it myself: Possesion of that kind of thing can get you into all kinds of trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513/40 "2015-10-14T14:53:14Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > [QUOTE=Claverhouse] > Obviously as a liberal democracy Australia has one of the most admired vigorous internet censorship programs in the world, but New Zealand is catching up. Can you give me a list of the books that Australia has banned over the past 5-10 years? Given that I mostly work with Australians, I’d like to discuss this with them. [/QUOTE] _late_ I don’t know what literary masterpieces are banned by either country — countries don’t really do that sort of thing anymore, not even those notorious in the old days like Vatican or America ['_Banned in Boston !’_], except perhaps by purely local librarians — And I wouldn’t publish ‘ **Mohammed — The Expose !** ’ in any of the Gulf States. As was said I was talking about internet censorship for which the downunderers are known the world over. However with Tony Abbott spending more time with his family perhaps Labor and Liberals will zanily join together in making a bonfire of all controls and letting people do what they want. On the other hand they’ve just decided to kill 2 million stray cats, so mental acuity doesn’t seem strong in Government House. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-bans-ya-novel/730513.md?page=3)