A selection of age-restricted books available at Auckland Library. Photo / NZME, Supplied
A selection of age-restricted books available at Auckland Library. Photo / NZME, Supplied
From bawdy rugby songs to harrowing descriptions of abuse and trauma, Mitchell Hageman looks at a number of age-restricted books that pushed the boundaries in New Zealand and discovers how our libraries and lawmakers help prevent harm to vulnerable readers.
Warning: This story discusses sexual assault. A list of helplines is available at the bottom of the page.
Tucked away out the back of the Auckland Central Library is a selection of 29 books that, in the eyes of New Zealand Office of Film and Literature Classification (NZOFLC) moderators, could “cause injury to the public good” if not restricted to those over a certain age.
R18, R16, and R13 are labels you often see at the cinema, though rarely in your local bookstore or library.
But just like movies, books are subject to the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993.
The NZOFLC also classifies books. Photo / Supplied, NZOFLC
The act sees the NZOFLC and our Chief Censor Caroline Flora weigh up potential harms with New Zealanders’ rights to freedom of expression.
“Book bans and restrictions in New Zealand are rare, but when they’re applied, it’s about balancing the protection of readers, especially young people, with the importance of freedom of expression,” Flora said.
“Books typically don’t carry content warnings or age restrictions, which makes it important to understand what you’re picking up, especially if you’re exploring a new genre or sharing it with others.”
Age restrictions set by the NZOFLC are also legally enforced by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).
“Anybody who knowingly supplies, distributes, exhibits or displays a restricted publication to any person who does not meet the age criteria is committing an offence and can receive up to three months' imprisonment or a fine not exceeding $10,000,” the DIA website reads.
Here are some of the books held in the restricted section, and why they were put there:
American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis (1991, R18)
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis. Photo / Supplied
Many will know of this title from the smash hit cult classic film starring Christian Bale, and how it sparked controversy for its graphic depictions of violence and sadism.
The film was slapped with an R18 rating, but it could surprise people to know that the book, which is just as graphic in nature, also received an age restriction.
Originally classified by NZOFLC predecessor the Indecent Publications Tribunal (IPT) in December 1991 as indecent in the hands of persons under the age of 18 years under the Indecent Publications Act 1963, the book version of American Psycho follows the first-person musings of 26-year-old New York investment banker and secret serial killer Patrick Bateman.
It was submitted in 2014 by Auckland Libraries under s42 of the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 for a reconsideration because of the time that had elapsed since that initial decision.
“The dominant effect of the book is twofold. The first is explicit descriptions of numerous tortures and murders, the victims include men, women, children and animals,” the NZOFLC decision reads.
Known for its satirical tone, the book includes explicit descriptions of extreme violence, sexual violence, necrophilia and cannibalism as Bateman explores his twisted fantasies.
“A sophisticated knowledge of how satire works is necessary to read that intention into this book. Children and teenagers are less likely to have this knowledge, and it is more likely they will read the text literally.”
The NZOFLC decision said such material would likely have a negative impact on young persons’ mental wellbeing and their developing worldviews.
“At a minimum it will inure them to such material; at worst it will cause an attitudinal shift, normalising such conduct, and to some extent (given the elite and sophisticated setting), glamorising it.
“Adults may find the descriptions upsetting but have the ability to contextualise the material as sophisticated satire, in a way younger readers will be less able to.”
The decision stated that, in the end, there were “no convincing reasons” to lower the existing restriction despite the time that had passed since the book’s publication and original classification.
Ordeal - Linda Lovelace with Mike McGrady (1980, R18)
Ordeal by Linda Lovelace. Photo / Supplied
This no-holds-barred autobiography smashed sales records when it was released but also courted controversy due to its “harrowing account of extreme physical and sexual abuse and exploitation”.
Written by Deep Throat star Linda Lovelace and co-author Mike McGrady, the book follows her experiences in the sex industry in the 70s.
In her own words, Lovelace delves into both her successful career in porn as well as the harrowing secret life of rape and abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband Chuck Traynor.
Traynor, who also managed and married porn actress Marilyn Chambers, used Lovelace for his own financial success by forcing her into pornography and prostitution.
Throughout the book, Lovelace is heavily critical of the porn industry and frames her story as a cautionary tale.
It was submitted by Auckland Libraries for reconsideration of its classification in 2015 after retaining an R18 from the IPT since the 80s for “references to perverse sexual practices”.
The NZOFLC found that the book “would disturb and shock most readers due to the depth and depravity of the abuse [Lovelace] suffered,” hence keeping its R18 rating.
“It is written for adults. Many adults would find the material confronting and shocking, but are likely to be able to contextualise this account of abuse and sexual exploitation,” an official NZOFLC decision read.
It is described in an NZOFLC decision as a collection of “bawdy” and “sexually crude” songs popular among rugby union players at the time.
“Some [songs] are diverting; many are crudely indecent,” an IPT decision of the time said.
“The question for the tribunal is not whether footballers should amuse themselves by bawling these songs off the field, but whether their text should be given a wider circulation in what may be called the decent licence of print; and the tribunal decides that it should not.”
Reclassified in 2021 as restricted to people 13 years and over, the book contains descriptions of “adult sexual material, extreme illegal sexual practices and homophobic and misogynistic attitudes”.
Prefaced by British humorist Michael Green, it was submitted for reclassification by Auckland Libraries, who said the book “no longer merits censorship, in line with current social mores”.
According to the NZOFLC decision, the book received its new R13 rating because “older readers are likely to understand that there has been a shift in societal attitudes over the past 52 years” and would view the book as an outdated product of its time.
Last Exit To Brooklyn - Hubert Selby Jr (1964, R16)
Last Exit to Brooklyn by Hubert Selby jnr. Photo / Supplied
Hubert Selby jnr’s 1964 bold depiction of New York City life in the 50s debuted to high praise from the literary community but caused significant controversy due to its style and graphic descriptions of sexual violence, drug use and offensive language.
It was so controversial in fact, that the IPT classified Last Exit to Brooklyn twice, first as “indecent except in the hands of adults engaged in work or research in sociological and related fields” in 1967 and then “indecent in the hands of persons under the age of 18 years” in 1971.
“The publication has considerable literary, social and cultural importance as one of the early transgressive works of the counterculture movement of the 1960s,” a 2014 decision from the NZOFLC said.
It is described as an episodic narrative, divided into six parts that can be read separately. It uses idiosyncratic grammar and prose that reflect the nature and vernacular of the characters.
“The publication contains extensive descriptions to do with sex and violence, most of which are degrading and demeaning.
“There are also incidents of drug use. The narrative is grim, capturing human despair and lack of hope.”
In 2014, enough time had elapsed for a classification reconsideration owing to changes in societal norms and attitudes
While the NZOFLC said there was a need for a reader to have “some worldliness, some sophistication in thinking” to grapple with the book’s content, they believed 16-year-olds would be mature enough to contextualise what they read and reclassified the book as R16.
“The book’s content is likely to injure children and younger teenagers who are still developing the concepts, knowledge and maturity needed to make sense of the material, particularly given the lack of resolve and hope that surrounds the characters,” the decision read.
Numb: Diary of a War Correspondent - Anonymous, Alan Buckby* (2015, R18)
Numb: Diary of a War Correspondent by Alan Bucky/Anonymous. Photo / Supplied
This previously unrestricted book about a journalist who allegedly committed sickening acts in war zones was submitted for classification to the NZOFLC by a member of the public who was angered by its contents.
Numb: Diary of a War Correspondent, purports to be a ghost-written memoir based on the posthumously discovered private journals of a war correspondent “Alan Buckby”.
Blurring the lines between fiction and reality, the book tells the story of Buckby’s double life as a respected war correspondent and family man, but also a violent psychopath.
“Buckby” supposedly spent his career in conflict zones including Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Iraq, perpetrating horrific crimes including rape, murder and necrophilia.
While the ghostwriter claims the book is based on real events, doubts have been cast on whether it is actually true due to historical inconsistencies and writing style.
“The book contains descriptions of extreme violence, sexual violence, sexual exploitation of a young person, and necrophilia which younger readers are likely to find shocking and disturbing,” an NZOFLC decision read.
“The material is likely to cause a harmful attitudinal shift towards sexuality in impressionable younger readers who are still in the process of forming sexual attitudes and behaviours.”
The decision also took into account the style of the book when giving it a classification.
“The interpretive work required of the reader means that the written word does not have the same shocking explicitness or immediacy as visual media.
“In the hands of its intended adult readership, the book may well be upsetting, however, adults are presumed to have the necessary maturity to contextualise this material and critically evaluate it.”
A history of banned and classified publications
There is still a total of 1314 banned books, magazines and comics in Aotearoa.
The vast majority of these classifications (1214) were made by the IPT, which was replaced by the NZOFLC in 1994.
Ninety-seven of these books were banned by the Classification Office, and three were banned by the Film and Literature Board of Review.
Flora said that under Section 42 of the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993, anyone can apply to the Chief Censor for leave to have any previously classified publication reconsidered.
“Whether leave is granted usually depends on factors such as the age of the publication, how widely available it is, and its artistic, cultural or other merit or value,” she said.
Classifying also takes into account the change in societal attitudes.
“From late 2022 to early 2024, we worked with members of the community to revisit publications banned before the Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986,” Flora said of a recent NZOFLC project.
“Many were reclassified as unrestricted, including 1980s rainbow lifestyle magazines showcasing advertisements and event information. None of the publications reviewed remain banned.”
Under the act, an application for reconsideration can only be made if a classification has been made three or more years ago unless the publication has been substantially altered since its classification, or if there are special circumstances.
What happens when you borrow a restricted book?
According to Auckland Council Libraries, their restricted titles are held at the Auckland Central City Library, but customers can also request items for pick-up at other branches.
The legally classified books are held behind the desk to ensure underage people can’t access them.
“Only customers who are at or above the age restriction can view or borrow restricted items. Customers may be required to show identification,” Auckland Libraries told the Herald.
Many of the titles are in hot demand. Auckland Libraries said that in the previous financial year (July 2023-June 2024) there were 128 checkouts from the restricted collection.
“All books designated as restricted items must have an official ratings label supplied by the Film and Video Labelling Body of New Zealand.
“At Auckland Council Libraries, restricted titles also have a spine label that identifies them as part of the ‘Desk copy (restricted)’ collection”.
Censored: Ted Dawe's Into The River briefly had an R14 rating.
In line with the libraries’ commitment to “the principle of freedom of access to information,” it has on occasion submitted titles for reclassification or review, with the aim of improving customer access to material.
“Auckland Council Libraries is committed to the principle of freedom of access to information. We collect and make available a wide range of materials, representing varying points of view.
“These may include controversial or unconventional ideas and subjects. We do not censor our collections based on ideological, political, or religious views or pressures”.
“We have occasionally sought a review where titles were classified or censored decades ago and the decision no longer aligns with societal views and norms”.
Submitting a book for classification
Any member of the public can apply for leave to have a book classified should they feel it is warranted.
“If you think a previously banned book should be reconsidered or believe a book needs classification, you can contact us,” Flora said.
American Psycho / Bret Easton Ellis, introduction by Irvine Welsh. (Auckland Libraries holds this title in book and audiobook format) - R18
Astride: An erotic journey of daydreams and delicious delights / Christine Leov Lealand - R18
Avocado: An erotic adventure of spirit and sensuality / Christine Leov Lealand -R18
Beauty’s Release / Roquelaure, A. N - R16
Cannabis / Jonathon Green - R18
Chobits. [Volume 2 of 8] [graphic novel] / Clamp [translator, Shirley Kubo English adaption, Jake Forbes] - R13
Chobits. Volume 1 of 8 [graphic novel] / story and art by Clamp [translator, Shirley Kubo English adaptation, Jake Forbes] - R13
Delta of Venus / by Anais Nin - R16
Down under the plum trees / Felicity Tuohy, Michael Murphy - R16
Fanny Hill, or, Memoirs of a woman of pleasure / John Cleland introduction by Gary Gautier notes by Audrey Bilger - R18
Fiona’s Fate / by Fredrica Alleyn - R18
Ghost World: a screenplay / by Daniel Clowes and Terry Zwigoff – R16
Ghost World [graphic novel] / Daniel Clowes - R16
Human diastrophism [graphic novel] / Gilbert Hernandez - R16
Justine, or The misfortunes of virtue / The Marquis de Sade translated by John Phillips - R18
Last Exit to Brooklyn / Hubert Selby, Jr - R16
Lost Girls [graphic novel] / by Alan Moore and Melinda Gebbie with letters by Todd Klein - R18
Men in Love / Nancy Friday - R18
Numb: Diary of a war correspondent / Anonymous - R18
Ordeal / by Linda Lovelace with Mike McGrady - R18
Quintessence : erotic adventures of fantasy & desire / Christine Leov Lealand - R18
See you next Tuesday [graphic novel] / Jane Mai - R16
Story of O / Pauline Reage translated from the French by Sabine d’Estree - R16
Stripped Bare: the body revealed in contemporary art / edited by Marianne Karabelnik works from the Thomas Koerfer Collection - R18
The big book of urban legends [graphic novel]: adapted from the works of Jan Harold Brunvand / by Robert Loren Fleming and Robert F. Boyd, Jr - R16
The league of extraordinary gentlemen. Volume 2 [graphic novel] / presented by co-creators Alan Moore, writer Kevin O’Neill, artist with the assistance of Ben Dimagmaliw, colourist William Oakley, letterer - R13
The long hard road out of hell / Marilyn Manson with Neil Strauss - R18
The new joy of sex / Alex Comfort, Susan Quilliam - R16
Why was he born so beautiful and other rugby songs / with a preface by Michael Green - R13
Where to get help:
If it’s an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
If you’ve ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:
