The Department of Internal Affairs

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

Building a safe, prosperous and respected nation



How NZ responds to violent extremism online

Identification of objectionable content

Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) is made aware of potentially objectionable (illegal) content through these three channels:

  • Digital Violent Extremism reporting form: This is the dedicated place to report content on the DIA website. Investigators review all reports, the actions that may be taken depend on the outcome of their review.
  • Other agencies: Other government and non-government agencies, both domestic and international, refer content to DIA for investigation.
  • General scanning by our specialists: DIA conducts regular scanning across online platforms to understand the nature of their content. We have specialist tools and techniques to carry out this scanning. When we identify something harmful, the appropriate action is taken.

The actions we may take depend on the type of content reported. We may:

  • Submit the material to the Classification Office to classify the content and determine whether it is objectionable.
  • Work with the Online Content Host (OCH) (social media companies, platforms, or websites) and ask them to remove the content, especially where it breaches the company’s terms of service.
  • Issue Take Down Notices to online content hosts (OCH).
  • Liaise with law enforcement / regulatory bodies and various Internet service providers overseas to ensure unlawful content is removed from view in New Zealand.

Identifying New Zealanders responsible for sharing objectionable content

DIA will, where possible, identify New Zealanders who are responsible for creating, sharing, or possessing objectionable content.

Creating and distributing objectionable content are offences under the Classification Act and DIA can prosecute for those offences. Any decision to prosecute is made according to the Solicitor-General’s Prosecution Guidelines which require sufficiency of evidence and that the prosecution is in the public interest, including consulting with other concerned government agencies.

DIA will ensure we reflect Aotearoa New Zealand’s commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms – including privacy and freedom of expression.