List of books banned in New Zealand

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Book censorship has existed in New Zealand since the colonial period. Initially the majority of book censorship was carried out by the Customs Department, which had the authority to refuse entry to books considered indecent. As time went on more branches of government became involved with book censorship including the police, Post Office, courts, Executive Council, Cabinet, and the Department of Justice.

Contents

During the First and Second World War, there was significant censorship of literature considered seditious or otherwise contrary to the war effort. In 1963 the book censorship system was reformed. All previous restrictions on books were lifted and the Indecent Publications Tribunal was created, the first organization in New Zealand whose primary purpose was book censorship. [1] Before this, there was no requirement for lists of banned books to be made public. By the end of the 1960s, the Tribunal had banned three books and almost 3000 comics and magazines. [2]

The Indecent Publications Tribunal's treatment of homosexuality changed significantly as a result of the Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986. Before the Act, many books were banned solely on the basis that because consensual sex between men was a criminal offence in New Zealand, any publication that dealt with homosexuality was dealing with crime and was therefore indecent. [3]

The Indecent Publications Tribunal was replaced by the Office of Film and Literature Classification in 1994 when the censorship system was reformed. [4] Classifications given to books by the Indecent Publications Tribunal remain in effect unless they have been re-classified since. [5]

As of September 2011, 1319 books have been banned and an additional 728 have been restricted in some way. More than two-thirds of banned or restricted books were classified before 1987. [6]

This article contains lists of books, comics, librettos, and pamphlets that have had legal restrictions on importation, sale, possession, or exhibition in New Zealand.

Before the Indecent Publications Tribunal (1841–1963)

The earliest New Zealand legislation solely for the purpose of censorship was the Offensive Publications Act 1892, [7] although Customs regulations prohibiting the importation of indecent material had existed since 1858. [8] The Offensive Publications Act outlawed "any picture or printed or written matter which is of an indecent, immoral, or obscene nature". [7] [5] In 1910 the Indecent Publications Act came into force, replacing earlier censorship legislation. [5] The Act introduced the defence of literary, scientific, or artistic merit in a work. The purpose of this according to the Attorney-General John Findlay was to "protect the liberty which improves and ennobles a nation, while removing the licence which degrades". [9]

Under the Customs Act 1913, any publication could be banned by an order of cabinet. In May 1921, following the First Red Scare, a cabinet directive came into force prohibiting "any document which incites, encourages, advises, or advocates violence, lawlessness, or disorder, or expresses any seditious intention". The Customs Department appointed a censor in July 1921 to deal with seditious publications. In 1922 it was decided that the role of the censor would be expanded to deal with indecent publications as well. [10] [11] The censor immediately released the majority of the novels on the Customs Department's banned list, except for most books about contraception. [12]

The Customs Act 1913 prohibited the importation of all "indecent or obscene articles", which gave considerable discretionary power to the Customs Department as the terms "indecent" and "obscene" weren't explicitly defined. [10] [13] The definition typically used by courts followed the Hicklin rule. This changed in 1939 when the High Court [lower-alpha 1] considered factors such as literary merit and circumstances of publication in its ruling on The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio. [14]

In 1923 the book Safe Marriage by Ettie Rout was banned to public outcry. As a result, a committee [lower-alpha 2] was created to advise the Customs Department on book censorship. [16] By the 1930s, the Customs Department's advisory committee had fallen into disuse. The committee was reinstated in February 1953 [lower-alpha 3] and would last until 1963. [17]

PublishedTitleAuthorTypeBanned byBannedCurrent statusNotes
1880 Nana Émile Zola NovelMagistrate's Court1890UnrestrictedIn 1888–89, publisher Henry Vizetelly was prosecuted in the United Kingdom for obscene libel for publishing translated works of Émile Zola. [18] This led to an investigation into Zola's works by the Christchurch police in which detectives were sent to local bookshops to enquire after novels by Zola. [19] [18] Five men were arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for stocking indecent books. This was the first prosecution for indecent publications in a New Zealand court. [18] One of the books, Nana, was also involved in the English case. All of the books were imported before the English case, and according to the defence counsel, copies of the books were available for sale in almost every New Zealand bookshop before the Vizetelly's prosecution in Britain. [20]
1908Five Nights Victoria Cross NovelMagistrate's Court1908UnrestrictedIn 1908 bookshop Whitcomb & Tombs in Christchurch was prosecuted for selling works by Victoria Cross after a police detective was sent to purchase copies. The books were ruled indecent under the Offensive Publications Act 1892. [21]
1906Six WomenNovelMagistrate's Court1908Unrestricted
The YokeNovelMagistrate's Court1908Unrestricted
1899 The Interpretation of Dreams Sigmund Freud Non-fictionCustoms DepartmentUnrestrictedAllowed into the country only for professional use. [10] [22]
1886 The Perfumed Garden translated by Sir Richard Francis Burton Sex manualUnrestrictedBanned before the Indecent Publications Act 1964. [23] It was ruled not indecent in 1966. [24]
1918Wise Parenthood Marie Stopes Non-fictionCustoms DepartmentUnrestricted [11]
1918 Married Love Non-fictionCustoms DepartmentUnrestrictedAllowed to be imported "on the understanding that no guarantee is given that action will not be taken by the police if any offence in respect of them is subsequently committed under the Indecent Publications Act 1910". [25]
1929The Sexual Life of Savages in North-Western Melanesia Bronisław Malinowski Non-fictionCustoms DepartmentUnrestricted
1922–1927 My Life and Loves Frank Harris AutobiographyUnrestrictedBanned before the Indecent Publications Act 1964. [23] Found not indecent by the IPT in 1967. [26]
1903Six Chapters in a Man's Life Victoria Cross NovelCustoms DepartmentUnrestrictedThe book was on the Customs lists of prohibited books in 1921. [27]
19th centuryA Spar Love Affair Guy de Maupassant FictionMagistrate's Court1917UnrestrictedFound indecent in 1917 by a Magistrate's Court under the Indecent Publications Act 1910. The Magistrate S.E. McCarthy held the opinion that wide dissemination of the books "would tend to generate libidinous desires, and these desires not infrequently prove, for their unhappy victims, that broad highway which leads to the mental hospital, the gaol, and the premature grave." [28] [9]
19th centuryStolen Sweets Charles Paul de Kock FictionMagistrate's Court1917Unrestricted
1901 Damaged Goods Eugène Brieux LibrettoCustoms Department1917–1922UnrestrictedSeized by Customs in 1917 for being indecent. [29] Released in April 1922. [30]
1913 Damaged Goods adapted by Upton Sinclair NovelCustoms Department1921–1922UnrestrictedSeized by Customs in 1921 for being indecent. Sinclair wrote to the Comptroller of Customs on 28 December 1921: "It is hard for me to believe that your government, which has the reputation of being one of the most liberal in the world, should bar serious educational writing upon the subject of venereal disease. My novel is merely a translation of the famous play by E. Brieux, which has been played in all the leading cities in America." [11] The book was released in April 1922. [30]
The Wife's HandbookHenry Arthur AllbuttSex manualCustoms Department1921Unrestricted [31]
How to Prevent PregnancyG. HardySex manualCustoms Department1921Unrestricted
1921Over Life's Edge Victoria Cross NovelCustoms Department1921Unrestricted
1914Sylvia's Marriage Upton Sinclair NovelCustoms Department1921Unrestricted
La Vie Parisienne Magazine1921Unrestricted
1921The ThingGertie de S. Wentworth-JamesNovel1921Unrestricted
1922Safe Marriage Ettie Rout Non-fictionCustoms Department1923UnrestrictedThe book advocated the use of contraception in marriage. [32] It was banned in 1923 to public outcry [33] ultimately leading to the creation of a committee to advise Customs on book censorship. [16] By 1930, the ban had been reversed. [34]
One Thousand and One Nights translated by the Casanova SocietyCollection of folkloreCustoms DepartmentUnrestrictedRestricted to students of anthropology and ethnology. [34]
1926The Butcher Shop Jean Devanny NovelCustoms Department1926UnrestrictedThe first New Zealand novel to be banned. [16] [35] In March 1926, the Prime Minister's secretary received correspondence from London that described the book as "disgusting indecent communistic", [36] and in April that year Customs was advised to ban it: "The Board considers this a bad book all round – sordid, unwholesome and unclean. It makes evil to be good. We are of the opinion that it should be banned." [37] [38] [39]
1928 Lady Chatterley's Lover D. H. Lawrence NovelCustoms DepartmentUnrestrictedAppeared on the Customs Department's list of banned books. [40] [22] It was found not indecent by the Indecent Publications Tribunal in 1965. [41] [42] [43]
1935A Handbook of Marxism Emile Burns Non-fictionCustoms DepartmentUnrestrictedBanned by 1935. [44]
1928 The Well of Loneliness Radclyffe Hall NovelCustoms Department1929Unrestricted [44]
The Hindu Art of LoveNon-fictionCustoms Department1929Unrestricted
1934 Tropic of Cancer Henry Miller Autobiographical novelCustoms DepartmentUnrestrictedHenry Miller novels were on the Customs Department's list of banned books for periods between 1934 and 1964. [40] Found not indecent by the IPT in 1967. [45]
1939 Tropic of Capricorn Autobiographical novelCustoms DepartmentUnrestricted
1940The World of SexNovelCustoms DepartmentUnrestricted
1949–1960 The Rosy Crucifixion Autobiographical novelCustoms DepartmentUnrestricted
1953 Plexus Autobiographical novelCustoms DepartmentUnrestricted
1956 Quiet Days in Clichy Autobiographical novellaCustoms DepartmentUnrestricted
1960 Nexus Autobiographical novelCustoms DepartmentUnrestricted
1832–1837 Droll Stories Honoré de Balzac Collection of short stories
  • Customs Department
  • Magistrate's Court
UnrestrictedOn the Customs Department's list of prohibited books. [22] Eventually removed. [46] Banned by a Magistrate's Court in 1935. [47]
Smokehouse MonthlyMagazinieCustoms Department1937UnrestrictedThe August 1937 edition of Smokehouse Monthly was banned for being indecent. [48]
Ace G MenPulp fictionCustoms Department1938UnrestrictedAmong the 300,000 American pulp magazines seized by Customs in 1938 for glorifying violence. [49]
Breezy StoriesPulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
Real DetectivePulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
Wu FangPulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
ShadowPulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
True ConfessionsPulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
Intimate RomancesPulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
Doc SavagePulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
Dime DetectivePulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
Candid ConfessionsPulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
Actual DetectivePulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
Your BodyPulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
Foto CrimePulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
SpicerPulp fictionCustoms Department1938Unrestricted
14th century The Decameron Giovanni Boccaccio Collection of novellasMagistrate's Court1939–1939UnrestrictedIn 1939 a policeman borrowed The Decameron from a private lending library. He was shocked by its contents and had a court case brought against the owner of the club. The Magistrate's Court found the book to be indecent by the Hicklin rule. [50] Later the same year, the High Court [lower-alpha 1] abandoned the Hicklin rule and overturned the finding that it was indecent. The Supreme Court gave greater weight to the circumstances of the book's publication and its artistic merit. [14] It was the first case in New Zealand of evidence of a publication's literary merit being heard in court. [51]
For books banned during World War II, see § World War II (1939–1945).
1944 Forever Amber Kathleen Winsor NovelCustoms Department1945UnrestrictedBanned by Minister of Customs Walter Nash for giving undue prominence to sex. The ban was implemented through import licence regulations which meant that private imports were not prohibited. [52] The New Zealand Library Association objected to the ban, arguing that import licensing regulations could be used to place an uncontestable ban on any imported publication. [16] [53] [22]
1947For the Rest of Our Lives Dan Davin NovelCustoms DepartmentUnrestricted [48]
1933Psychology of Sex Havelock Ellis Medical textbookCustoms Department1946UnrestrictedAllowed to be imported on the understanding that there was no guarantee that police might not prosecute at a later date. [52]
Encyclopedia of Sex PracticeMedical textbookCustoms Department1946Unrestricted
1934Birth Control Today Marie Stopes Medical textbookCustoms Department1946Unrestricted
1949"Intimacy" Jean-Paul Sartre Short storyCustoms DepartmentUnrestricted
1922 Ulysses James Joyce NovelCustoms Department1950UnrestrictedAllowed to be imported on the condition that it would be sold "only to members of the educational profession and bona fide students of literature, and on the understanding that no guarantee is given that action will not be taken by the police if any offence in respect of them is subsequently committed under the Indecent Publications Act, 1910." [13]
1955Boss of Britain's Underworld Billy Hill MemoirDepartment of Justice1956UnrestrictedDeemed indecent in 1956 for encouraging lawlessness. [54] The Minister of Justice stated publicly in 1956 that anyone selling the book would be prosecuted and any copies that were imported would be seized by the Customs Department. [55] Banned by the Mininstry of Justice in 1959. [56]
1950 My Gun Is Quick Mickey Spillane NovelDepartment of Justice1955UnrestrictedBanned by the Department of Justice with the cooperation of Associated Booksellers of New Zealand. [57]
1950 Vengeance Is Mine! NovelDepartment of Justice1955Unrestricted
1951 One Lonely Night NovelDepartment of Justice1955Unrestricted
1951The Long WaitNovelDepartment of Justice1955Unrestricted
1951 The Big Kill NovelDepartment of Justice1955Unrestricted
1952 Kiss Me, Deadly NovelDepartment of Justice1955Unrestricted
1950Lay Her Among the Lilies James Hadley Chase NovelDepartment of Justice1955Unrestricted
1951 Strictly for Cash NovelDepartment of Justice1955Unrestricted
1952 The Fast Buck NovelDepartment of Justice1955Unrestricted
1953This Way for a ShroudNovelDepartment of Justice1955Unrestricted
1953 I'll Bury My Dead NovelDepartment of Justice1955Unrestricted
1900– Health and Efficiency MagazineCustoms Department1957UnrestrictedCustoms allowed nudist clubs to import the magazine on the condition that "misuse of club copies would result in action under the Indecent Publications Act, 1910." [48]
1933 God's Little Acre Erskine Caldwell NovelCustoms DepartmentUnrestricted [48]
1957 Mandingo Kyle Onstott Novel
  • Customs Department
  • Department of Justice
1959UnrestrictedIn late 1959, the Secretary for Justice informed the booksellers that the Justice Department considered Mandingo indecent. [58] It would eventually be on the Customs Department's and the Justice Department's list of prohibited books. [40] It was found not indecent by the IPT in 1965. [45]
1958 Borstal Boy Brendan Behan AutobiographyCustoms Department1958UnrestrictedBanned by Customs without consultation with the Literary Advisory Committee. The book was referred to the Committee after its ban was queried by Associated Bookselleres of New Zealand. By August 1959, the book was permitted for special orders and was not allowed to be displayed to the public. [59]
1947 You Can't See 'Round Corners Jon Cleary NovelDepartment of Justice1959UnrestrictedIn January 1959, the Department of Justice informed the book's Australian publisher that it would be considered indecent in New Zealand, although the book had already been circulating in the country and stocked in public libraries for many years. [60]
1955 Lolita Vladimir Nabokov Novel
  • Customs Department
  • Supreme Court
  • Court of Appeals
1959UnrestrictedBanned in 1955 by Customs, disregarding the Literary Advisory Committee's recommendation that it should be available for restricted sale. The decision was challenged by the New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties. [61] The High Court [lower-alpha 1] ruled the book indecent for having an undue emphasis on sex that would corrupt the reader. The ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal in a 2–1 decision. [62] [63] Lolita was found not indecent by the Indecent Publications Tribunal in 1964. [45] [42]
1959A Way of Love James Courage NovelUnrestricted"The novel was banned under the censorship provisions in place before the setting up of the Indecent Publications Tribunal in 1964." [38]
1791 Justine Marquis de Sade NovelIndecent Publications TribunalRestrictedBanned before the Indecent Publications Act 1964. [23] [39] In 1965 the Indecent Publications Tribunal restricted it to "psychologists, psychiatrists, and adult bona fide students of literature or philosophy". [64] [65] [42] [43]

World War I period (1914–1920)

During World War I, power was given to the New Zealand Defence Force and later to the Customs Department to prohibit the importation of literature that was considered undesirable, usually for being seditious. [66] Wartime censorship of books and letters continued for many months after the end of the war. [67]

PublishedTitleAuthorTypeBanned byBannedCurrent statusNotes
works of the Industrial Workers of the World Executive Council 1915UnrestrictedImportation of any printed matter from the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) was prohibited by an Order in Council on 20 September 1915. This included the newspapers Direct Action and Solidarity. [68] [69] Sale of all IWW works was prohibited by a Gazette notice on 30 November 1917. [70]
Gaelic Magazine Executive Council 1917UnrestrictedImportation was prohibited by an Order in Council in 1917. [68]
Rome's hideous guiltPamphlet1919Unrestricted [36]
1920Programme of the World Revolution Nikolai Bukharin PamphletUnrestrictedIn 1920 future prime minister Walter Nash, a bookseller at the time, was arrested and fined £12 for importing Programme of the World Revolution.
1898– Jane's Fighting Ships John Frederick Thomas Jane Reference bookUnrestricted [71]
The World's WarshipsReference bookMinister of Defence1915UnrestrictedSale of these books was prohibited on 17 November 1915 under the War Regulations Act 1914. [72]
Warships at a GlanceReference bookMinister of Defence1915Unrestricted
Naval Recognition BookMinister of Defence1915Unrestricted
Fleets of the WorldMinister of Defence1915Unrestricted
The Naval Pocket-bookMinister of Defence1915Unrestricted
International Socialist ReviewMinister of Defence1916UnrestrictedSale of these periodicals was prohibited on 29 February 1926 under the War Regulations Act 1914. [73]
The FatherlandMinister of Defence1916Unrestricted
Issues and EventsMinister of Defence1916Unrestricted
all American newspapers and periodicals printed in the German languageMinister of Defence1916Unrestricted
Atlanta AmericanPeriodical Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand 1916Unrestricted22 periodicals were prohibited by an Order in Council on 21 December 1916. [74]
1906–1939 Atlanta Georgian NewspaperGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
1904–1961 Boston American NewspaperGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
1900–1939 Chicago American NewspaperGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
1907–1918 Chicago Examiner NewspaperGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
1903–1962 Los Angeles Examiner NewspaperGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
1873–1931 Los Angeles Herald NewspaperGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
Morgan JournalPeriodicalGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
1901–1937 New York American NewspaperGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
New York Deutsches JournalPeriodicalGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
1895–1937 New York Evening Journal NewspaperGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
San Francisco Examiner NewspaperGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
San Francisco Sunday AmericanPeriodicalGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
Sunday GeorgianPeriodicalGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
1886– Cosmopolitan MagazineGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
1885– Good Housekeeping MagazineGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
1867– Harper's Bazaar MagazineGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
Hearst's MagazineMagazineGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
1903– Motor MagazineGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
Motor Boating MagazinePeriodicalGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
Ross's MagazinePeriodicalGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
BullIllustrated newspaperGovernor of the Dominion of New Zealand1916Unrestricted
The Black ProphetGuy Fitch PhelpsAttorney-General1918UnrestrictedThe Black Prophet and any publications containing extracts of The Black Prophet were prohibited by an Order in Council on 28 June 1918. [75]
1916Green RayNewspaperAttorney-General1918UnrestrictedGreen Ray was an Irish nationalist newspaper founded in late 1916. [76] It was prohibited by and Order in Council on 3 July 1918. [77] The Order also prohibited every future edition and any substitute newspaper with the same proprietor, publisher, printer, or editor.
Gold for IronFellowship of ReconciliationPamphletAttorney-General1918UnrestrictedProhibited by an Order in Council on 19 July 1918. [78]
1919Novi SvijetJugo-Slav Publishing CompanyJournalAttorney-General1919UnrestrictedNovi Svijet was a newspaper founded in May 1919 by Slavs in Auckland. [79] On 6 June 1919 it prohibited by an Order in Council [80] for being "injurious to the public interest in respect to the present war". It was prohibited after an open letter in Croatian had been found to be unfavourable to the National Service Regulations. The Attorney-General Francis Bell told the complainants that he had considered a prosecution, as the newspaper "contained matter calculated to excite discontent and disobedience among the Slavs [and] printed in English an article inciting treason and disloyalty in Ireland". [79] Several months later the newspaper obtained permission to publish in English and changed its name to its English equivalent, New World. The newspaper failed to sell in this form, and applied for permission to publish half in Dalmatian. This request was refused. [79]
Grey River Argus NewspaperUnrestrictedGrey River Argus was fined £25 in 1920 for "publishing a letter from a correspondent saying it was futile to believe the capitalist class would tamely submit to being legalised out of existence". [81]
1910War: What For? George Ross Kirkpatrick Non-fiction1920UnrestrictedWithheld by Customs in 1920 although it had been distributed in the country previously. [82] [83]
Socialism in Queensland Joseph King Pamphlet1920UnrestrictedBarred by Customs from entering New Zealand in 1920. [84] [85]
1919Soviets and the Soviet GovernmentPamphlet1920Unrestricted
1919Bolsheviks and BolshevismPamphlet1920Unrestricted
1919Prospect and Retrospect Philip Snowden Pamphlet1920Unrestricted
1919The Coming CrashJ.W. NewbaldNon-fiction1920Unrestricted
1918The Gang Behind the Government, or Capital's Case for Industrial UnionismEssay1920Unrestricted
1919The Hidden Hand in PoliticsJ.W. KneeshawPamphlet1920Unrestricted
1919The Allies' Crime against RussiaA.W. HumphreyPamphlet1920Unrestricted
1919Capitalist Russia and Socialist RussiaPhilips PriceNon-fiction1920Unrestricted
1919Why Good Men Go Wrong in WarRichard LeePamphlet1920Unrestricted
The Communist ProgrammePamphletUnrestrictedSome time before May 1921, a man was sentenced to three months' hard labour for selling copies of The Communist Programme. [86]
Red Europe Frank Anstey Non-fictionUnrestrictedBanned by the Reform Government according to Opposition MP Harry Holland. [86] [34]
Money and PowerNon-fictionUnrestricted [87]
1825–1994 Anti-Slavery Reporter Zachary Macaulay Periodical1915UnrestrictedConfiscated from pacifist Charles Mackie in November 1915, alongside a carton of 500 leaflets from the British Stop the War Committee and a batch of suffragist material. [88]

World War II (1939–1945)

Censorship of books, pamphlets, newspapers, telegraph, radio, mail, and public speech was extensive during World War II. [89] [90] Censorship regulations were drafted in September 1938 during the Munich Agreement and were brought into force on 1 September 1939. [91] They established the Controller of Censorship, responsible for postal and telegraph censorship, and the Director of Publicity, responsible for press censorship. These two roles were created to prevent dissemination of prejudicial information and subversive reports. [89]

The Controller of Censorship had the power to "cause any postal packet to be opened, detained, or delayed", [91] and many books were detained under the Controller's direction. [90] Books were withheld for various reasons, including interfering with the war effort, having ties to communism, and being likely to cause strong sectarian strife or bitterness. Some innocuous books were withheld if they were in the same packages as suspected books. [92]

In correspondence between the Controller of Censorship George McNamara and the Prime Minister Peter Fraser about the communist and pacifist literature entering the country by post, McNamara said

The volume is fairly heavy and is continuous. As most of it is definitely antagonistic to British ideals and of a subversive character, it is being detained, but some may be reaching the country in larger packages as cargo. All of it is aimed at converting our people to Communism or other isms, and is definitely against the war effort.

Controller of Censorship George McNamara [93]

The list of banned books was never made public during the war and was generally kept secret, to the frustration of libraries and booksellers. [94] Reluctant to waste their already restricted budgets [95] and risk their import licences, libraries and booksellers avoided importing books they thought might be withheld, [94] and librarians began to remove books considered dangerous to the common good during wartime. [96] By 1940 the number of intercepted and withheld books had become substantial. Minister of Customs Walter Nash, having been a bookseller's agent, had a special interest in books and took charge of this branch of censorship. Nash created an ad hoc committee to advise the Controller of Censorship on which books should be released, with the intention of releasing as many as possible. [97] Throughout the war, this committee made the majority of decisions in secret about the entry of books into the country. [98]

The Censorship and Publicity Emergency Regulations were revoked on 6 September 1945. [99]

PublishedTitleAuthorTypeBanned byBannedCurrent statusNotes
The New Communist ManifestoPamphletCustoms Department1930sUnrestrictedBanned in the 1930s for advocating violence, lawlessness, or disorder or expressing seditious intention. [100]
The World Trade Union MovementPamphletCustoms Department1930sUnrestricted
1940Karl Marx in his Earlier WritingsH. P. AdamsController of Censorship−1940UnrestrictedWithheld for having a connection to communism; released in October 1940 following the first report of the advisory committee to the Controller of Customs. Karl Marx in his Earlier Writings was released again in May 1941, having been on the Controller of Censorship May 1941 list of banned books. [101] [102]
1917Freedom Calling, the Story of the Secret German RadioPamphletController of Censorship−1940Unrestricted
1917Rebels and ReformersController of Censorship−1940Unrestricted
1940Rosa Luxemburg Paul Frölich Controller of Censorship−1940Unrestricted
1940Karl Marx Leon Trotsky Controller of Censorship−1940Unrestricted
1940India Today R. Palme Dutt Controller of Censorship−1940Unrestricted
1940War and the Labour MovementHarry PollittController of Censorship1940UnrestrictedBanned in October 1940 on the grounds of being anti-imperialist propaganda and supporting trade union opposition to the war. [103]
1940The War Crisis William Z. Foster Controller of Censorship1940Unrestricted
1940Is this a War for Freedom?Ernst FischerController of Censorship1940Unrestricted
1940Social Democracy and the WarV. I. JeromeController of Censorship1940Unrestricted
Soviets TodayPeriodicalController of Censorship1940UnrestrictedBanned in October 1940 for advocating the Russian regime. [103]
Moscow NewsPeriodicalController of Censorship1940Unrestricted
Labour MonthlyPeriodicalController of Censorship1940Unrestricted
Communist InternationalPeriodicalController of Censorship1940Unrestricted
New MassesPeriodicalController of Censorship1940Unrestricted
What Every Young Man should know about WarH. R. ShapiroController of Censorship1940UnrestrictedBanned in October 1940 for being pacifist anti-war propaganda. [103]
1939The Land of Socialism Today and Tomorrow: Reports and Speeches at the 18th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks), March 10–21, 1939 Communist Party of the Soviet Union Controller of CensorshipUnrestrictedWithheld and held for decision by a higher authority. [103]
1940Soviet Foreign Policy, the meaning of the War in Finland Vyacheslav Molotov Controller of CensorshipUnrestricted
1938Questions and Answers on Communism J. R. Campbell Controller of Censorship−1942UnrestrictedWithheld in 1939 or 1940 and held for decision by a higher authority in October 1940; banned in May 1941. [104] Released in November 1942. [105]
1938Truth and Mr ChamberlainSteven MacGregorController of CensorshipUnrestrictedWithheld from circulation in 1939 or 1940 and held for decision by a higher authority in October 1940; later banned in May 1941. In November 1942, the ban remained in place. [106] [107]
1928 Falsehood in War-Time Arthur Ponsonby Controller of CensorshipUnrestricted
1847 The Communist Manifesto Controller of Censorship−1942UnrestrictedWithheld and held for decision by a higher authority; still held by Customs in June 1942. It was a set book at Victoria University of Wellington in 1941, but the university's students were not allowed to access it. It was released in November 1942. [108]
1847 The Poverty of Philosophy Karl Marx Controller of CensorshipUnrestrictedWithheld and held for decision by a higher authority in 1939 or 1940. [109] [107]
1875 Critique of the Gotha Programme Controller of CensorshipUnrestricted
1917 The State and Revolution Vladimir Lenin Controller of CensorshipUnrestricted
1917 Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism Controller of CensorshipUnrestricted
ReligionController of CensorshipUnrestricted
1917Letters from AfarController of CensorshipUnrestricted
works of the Jehovah's Witnesses Customs Department1940UnrestrictedIn October 1940 the Jehovah's Witnesses was declared a subversive organisation. In November 1940 all literature by the Jehovah's Witnesses' was banned for being subversive. [110]
1941 An Autobiography Jawaharlal Nehru AutobiographyController of Censorship−1941UnrestrictedReleased in August 1941. [111]
1937Adolescent PsychologyA. H. ArlittController of Censorship−1941Unrestricted
1940 Lust for Life Irving Stone Controller of Censorship−1941Unrestricted
1940Modern Marriage and Birth ControlE. F. GriffithController of Censorship−1941Unrestricted
1939The Children we Teach Susan Isaacs Controller of Censorship−1941Unrestricted
1933Towards the Understanding of Karl MarxS. HookController of Censorship−1941Unrestricted
1939Culture and the People Maxim Gorki Controller of Censorship−1941Unrestricted
1938Why You Should Be a Socialist John Strachey Controller of Censorship−1941Unrestricted
1940Revolt on the Clyde Willie Gallacher Controller of Censorship−1941Unrestricted
1937Post-War History of the British Working Class Allen Hutt Controller of Censorship−1941Unrestricted
1940Is this an Imperialist War? Harold Laski Controller of Censorship−1941Unrestricted
1937Soviet CommunismController of Censorship−1941Unrestricted
Daily WorkerController of CensorshipUnrestrictedReleased following the termination of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact in June 1941. [107]
1939We Will Not Cease Archibald Baxter Controller of Censorship1941UnrestrictedBanned in August 1941 for being pacifist and anti-war. [112] [107]
works of the British Central Board for Conscientious ObjectorsController of Censorship1941UnrestrictedAll publications from the British Central Board for Conscientious Objectors were banned in August 1941. [113]
1940Leninism Joseph Stalin Controller of Censorship1941UnrestrictedBanned in August 1941. [114]
Lenin on ReligionController of CensorshipUnrestrictedBanned for being pacifist. [113]
1940Industrial History in Wartime Wal Hannington Controller of Censorship−1942UnrestrictedIn June 1942, the Collector of Customs informed the Progressive Book Society of Auckland of a number of books that were being held, including Twenty Years, Industrial History in Wartime, British Trade Unionism, a short history (which had been banned by April 1941), two books by Stalin on Leninism, and five books by Lenin. Industrial History in Wartime and British Trade Unionism were released in November 1942. [115]
Twenty YearsWillie GallacherController of CensorshipUnrestricted
British Trade Unionism, a short historyAllen HuttController of Censorship−1942Unrestricted
1942What Will it be Like? Richard Acland Controller of CensorshipUnrestrictedWithheld from Wellington booksellers according to a 19 March 1942 House of Commons question from MP J. A. Lee. [116] [117]
1941Guide to the New World; a handbook of Constructive World Revolution H. G. Wells Controller of CensorshipUnrestricted
works of Lenin and Stalin Controller of Censorship−1942UnrestrictedAll works of Lenin and Stalin were released in November 1942. [105]
1940Hands off the Daily Worker J. B. S. Haldane Controller of Censorship−1942UnrestrictedReleased in 1942 after being withheld by the Controller of Censorship. [105]
1940British Liberty in DangerRonald KiddController of Censorship−1942Unrestricted
Britain and RussiaW. HolmesController of Censorship−1942Unrestricted
1940Revolution for SocialismPat SloanController of Censorship−1942Unrestricted
1940Russia and the League of NationsController of Censorship−1942Unrestricted
1938Political and Social Doctrines of CommunismR. Palme DuttController of Censorship−1942Unrestricted
1941Serving my TimeHarry PollittController of Censorship−1942Unrestricted
1916–1919C. O.'s HansardCentral Board for Conscientious ObjectorsController of CensorshipUnrestrictedBanned for pacifism by November 1942. [118]
Hawkers of Death: The Private Manufacture and Trade in ArmsPhilip Noel-BakerController of CensorshipUnrestrictedBanned for being anti-war as it concerned private arms trading. [118]
1940Fair Play for Servicemen and their FamiliesD. F. SpringhallController of CensorshipUnrestrictedBanned for divulging the exploitation of the working class in war. [118]
Men behind the WarJ. JohnsonController of CensorshipUnrestricted
1940Wartime ProfitsBritish Labour Research DepartmentController of CensorshipUnrestricted
The Empire & the War Communist Party of Great Britain Controller of CensorshipUnrestricted
Democracy for Whom? A striking Contrast: Democracy in Australia and the Soviet Union Lance Sharkey Controller of CensorshipUnrestricted
1939India's demand for freedomUniversity Labour FederationController of CensorshipUnrestrictedOn the list of banned titles in November 1942. [118]
1940Why must India fight? V. K. Krishna Menon Controller of CensorshipUnrestricted
1936What are you going to do about it? Aldous Huxley Controller of CensorshipUnrestricted
1941No Friend of Democracy; a study of Roman Catholic Politics—their Influence on the Course of the Present War and the Growth of FascismEdith MooreController of Censorship1942UnrestrictedSeized from a packet addressed to the Rationalist Association and banned in November 1942 for being "disruptive on religious grounds". The book was critical of the Roman Catholic Church for cooperating with Italian Fascists. [119]
TomorrowLiterary journalController of CensorshipUnrestricted [36] [120]
New StatesmanController of CensorshipUnrestrictedIt had been seized by 1942. Eventually it was released. [102]
People's VoiceNewspaperController of CensorshipUnrestricted [36] [121]

Indecent Publications Tribunal (1963–1994)

PublishedTitleAuthorTypeBanned byBannedCurrent statusNotes
1963 The Group Mary McCarthy NovelCustoms Department1964UnrestrictedAlthough The Group was on the Customs list of prohibited or restricted books in 1964, it had already been imported and was available in bookshops. The book was later removed from the list. [39]
1964 Washday at the Pā Ans Westra Children's literature Department of Education 1964Unrestricted [122] [123]
FannyH. JansonIndecent Publications Tribunal1964BannedRuled indecent in 1964. [124]
WhiplashR. W.Indecent Publications Tribunal1964Banned
Adultery in SuburbiaMatthew BradleyIndecent Publications Tribunal1964Banned
The Debauched Hospodar Guillaume Apollinaire Pornographic novelIndecent Publications TribunalRestrictedRuled indecent in 1965 unless circulation was "restricted to persons professionally engaged in the study of abnormal psychology". [124] Given an R18 classification in 1975. [125]
Memoirs of a Young RakehellErotic novelIndecent Publications TribunalRestricted
The Jewel in the Lotus Allen Edwardes Indecent Publications Tribunal1966RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1966. [126]
Unusual Female Sex Practices David Oliver Cauldwell Indecent Publications Tribunal1967BannedRuled indecent in 1967. [24]
Female Auto-Erotic Practices Havelock Ellis Indecent Publications Tribunal1967BannedRuled indecent in 1967. [126]
1888 My Secret Life WalterMemoirIndecent Publications TribunalRestrictedIn 1968 and in 1976 it was ruled indecent except in the hands of persons over 18 years of age whose professional or academic studies extend into the field covered by the book. [127]
1967Why Was He Born So Beautiful And Other Rugby SongsSongbookIndecent Publications Tribunal1968BannedRuled indecent in 1968: [38] "This is an anthology of bawdy songs, said to be popular among players of Rugby union football. Some are diverting; many are crudely indecent. 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. It is accordingly declared to be indecent." [128]
Small Town Sex Today Victor J. Banis Indecent Publications Tribunal1968BannedRuled indecent in 1968. [129]
Story of Venus and Tannhauser Aubrey Beardsley Indecent Publications Tribunal1968RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1968. [129]
I, Jan Cremer  [ nl ] Jan Cremer Indecent Publications Tribunal1968RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1968. [130]
Glory of de Dienes' Women Andre de Dienes Indecent Publications Tribunal1968BannedRuled indecent in 1968. [130]
Schönheit Im Bild III Andre de Dienes Indecent Publications Tribunal1968RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1968. [130]
Sun Warmed Nudes Andre de Dienes Indecent Publications Tribunal1968BannedRuled indecent in 1968. [130]
A History of EroticismIndecent Publications Tribunal1968RestrictedIn 1968 it was ruled indecent "except in the hands of professional students of medicine, psychology, sociology, and fine arts". [126]
The Cradle of Erotica Allen Edwardes Indecent Publications Tribunal1968RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1968. [126]
Sex and the Single Man Albert Ellis Indecent Publications Tribunal1968RestrictedRestricted 17 in 1968. [126]
Satan's Saint Guy Endore AutobiographyIndecent Publications Tribunal1968RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1968. [126]
Ladies on CallLee FrancisIndecent Publications Tribunal1968RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1968. [131]
Checan Rafael Larco Hoyle Non-fictionIndecent Publications Tribunal1968RestrictedIn 1968 it was ruled not indecent "except in the hands of persons under 18 years unless they be certified students of art, archaeology or ancient history." [132]
Walter—My Secret Life Eberhard and Phyllis Kronhausen Indecent Publications Tribunal1968RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1968. [41]
Black CzarinaIndecent Publications Tribunal1968RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1968. [133]
Venus in Furs NovellaIndecent Publications Tribunal1968Restricted
Woman and the Sea Richard Tregaskis Indecent Publications Tribunal1968Restricted
Eros Modern' Style Patrick Waldberg Indecent Publications Tribunal1968Restricted
1797 Juliette Marquis de Sade NovelIndecent Publications TribunalRestrictedIn 1969 it was ruled indecent except in the hands of bona fide students over the age of 20 years engaged in work or research in sociological and related fields. [130]
1907 Sadopaideia Ashantee of EdinburghErotic novelIndecent Publications Tribunal1969BannedRuled indecent in 1969. [134]
1958 Candy NovelIndecent Publications Tribunal1969BannedRuled indecent in 1969. [135]
My Bed is not for Sleeping Gerty Agoston Indecent Publications Tribunal1969RestrictedRestricted 17 in 1969. [125]
Mistress of Bayou Labelle Lou Cameron Indecent Publications Tribunal1969BannedRuled indecent in 1969. [24]
The World Is Full of Married Men Jackie Collins Indecent Publications Tribunal1969RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1969. [130]
Jailbirds in the Back Seat Marcus van Heller Indecent Publications Tribunal1969BannedRuled indecent in 1969. [26]
Sex MarchersIndecent Publications Tribunal1969RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1969. [136]
Master Masochist Leopold von Sacher-Masoch Indecent Publications Tribunal1969RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1969. [133]
Sex Manners and Advanced Lovers Robert Chartham Indecent Publications Tribunal1970BannedRuled indecent in 1970. [24]
Sex Turned On Richard E. Geis Indecent Publications Tribunal1970BannedRuled indecent in 1970. [131]
Community of Women Sheldon Lord Indecent Publications Tribunal1970BannedRuled indecent in 1970. [137]
Where's Poppa? Robert Klane NovelIndecent Publications Tribunal1971BannedRuled indecent in 1971. [132]
My Carnal Confession Gerty Agoston Indecent Publications Tribunal1971BannedRuled indecent in 1971. [125]
Sex and the Over Forties Robert Chartham Indecent Publications Tribunal1971RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1971. [24]
Master Baiter Troy Conway Indecent Publications Tribunal1971BannedRuled indecent in 1971. [130]
Venus in India Charles DevereuxErotic novelIndecent Publications Tribunal1971RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1971. [126]
Erotic Fantasies Eberhard and Phyllis Kronhausen Indecent Publications Tribunal1971RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1971. [41]
More Walter—My Secret Life Eberhard and Phyllis Kronhausen Indecent Publications Tribunal1971Restricted
As the Naked Wind from the Sea Gustav Sandgren Indecent Publications Tribunal1971RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1971. [138]
Blue Movie Andy Warhol Indecent Publications Tribunal1971RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1971. [133]
The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart Robert T. Westbrook Indecent Publications Tribunal1971RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1971. [139]
1904 The 120 Days of Sodom Marquis de Sade Erotic novelIndecent Publications Tribunal1972–1998RestrictedRuled indecent in 1972. [126] In 1998 it was given an R18 classification by the OFLC. It can only be displayed publicly in a sealed package with the R18 classification shown. [140]
1970Blue Movie Terry Southern NovelIndecent Publications Tribunal1972BannedRuled indecent in 1972. [135]
The Screw ReaderIndecent Publications Tribunal1972BannedRuled indecent in 1972. [24]
Pictoral Guide to Sexual Fulfilment Robert Chartham Indecent Publications Tribunal1972RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1972. [24]
Die 64 Besten Sexfotos Andre de Dienes Indecent Publications Tribunal1972RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1972. [130]
Nude Photography Andre de Dienes Indecent Publications Tribunal1972Restricted
Abandon Richard E. Geis Indecent Publications Tribunal1972BannedRuled indecent in 1972. [131]
Suddenly, Wonderfully Gay Peter Kanto Indecent Publications Tribunal1972BannedRuled indecent in 1972. [132]
Freedom to Love Eberhard and Phyllis Kronhausen Indecent Publications Tribunal1972BannedRuled indecent in 1972. [41]
1001 Ways to Make Love Tuli Kupferberg Indecent Publications Tribunal1972Banned
All-Night Visitors Clarence Major Indecent Publications Tribunal1972RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1972. [137]
Screen Barry N. Malzberg Indecent Publications Tribunal1972BannedRuled indecent in 1972. [137]
Oracle of the Thousand Hands Barry N. Malzberg Indecent Publications Tribunal1972RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1972. [137]
Libido Sexualis Albert Moll Indecent Publications Tribunal1972RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1972. [45]
Love in the Open Air Tuppy Owens Indecent Publications Tribunal1972RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1972. [136]
Step by Step Instruction in Sexual Technique Tuppy Owens Indecent Publications Tribunal1972BannedRuled indecent in 1972. [136]
The Bikers Alex R. Stuart Indecent Publications Tribunal1972RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1972. [135]
Thongs Alexander Trocchi Indecent Publications Tribunal1972BannedRuled indecent in 1972. [133]
The Gentle Degenerates Marco Vassi Erotic novelIndecent Publications Tribunal1972Banned
The Saline SolutionErotic novelIndecent Publications Tribunal1972Banned
Mind BlowerErotic novelIndecent Publications Tribunal1972RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1972. [133]
1967 Emmanuelle Emmanuelle Arsan Erotic novelIndecent Publications Tribunal1973BannedRuled indecent in 1973 [129] and 1987. [141]
Xaviera Xaviera Hollander AutobiographyIndecent Publications Tribunal1973BannedRuled indecent in 1973. [26]
The Life and Loves of Mr. Jiveass Nigger Cecil Brown Indecent Publications Tribunal1973RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1973. [24]
Your Sex Drive Robert Chartham Indecent Publications Tribunal1973BannedRuled indecent in 1973. [24]
Erotic Art Eberhard and Phyllis Kronhausen Indecent Publications Tribunal1973RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1973. [41]
One Last Mad Embrace Jack Trevor Story Indecent Publications Tribunal1973BannedRuled indecent in 1973. [135]
A Secret Diary William Veitch AutobiographyIndecent Publications Tribunal1973RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1973. [133]
  • 1978
  • 1992
  • 1997
Marijuana Grower's GuideInstructional
  • Indecent Publications Tribunal
  • Office of Film and Literature Classification
1978BannedThe deluxe edition was ruled indecent in 1978 [142] for "adding to the sum total of knowledge about an entirely illegal activity." [143] The book's standard edition was ruled indecent in 1992 for being "injurious to the public good and contrary to commonly accepted standards", [144] and in 1997 it was banned by the OFLC. [145]
1991 American Psycho Bret Easton Ellis Novel
  • Indecent Publications Tribunal
  • Office of Film and Literature Classification
RestrictedIn December 1991 it was ruled indecent in the hands of persons under the age of 18 years. [146] [147] In 2014 Auckland Council requested that the OFLC reconsider the book and it was given the same R18 classification. [148]
Male ClassicsMagazineIndecent Publications Tribunal1965BannedMale Classics no. 30 and Male Classics Annual were both ruled indecent in 1964. [43] [64] [149]
Modern AdonisMagazineIndecent Publications Tribunal1965BannedModern Adonis no. 25 was ruled indecent in 1964. [43] [64] [142]
Physique Pictorial MagazineIndecent Publications Tribunal1965BannedPhysique Pictorial volume 3 no. 3 was ruled indecent in 1964. [64] [150]
1748–1749 Fanny Hill John Cleland Erotic novelIndecent Publications TribunalRestrictedIn 1965 an expurgated edition was given an R18 classification. [43] [64] [24] The book was given an R18 classification in 1991. [39]
Penthouse MagazineIndecent Publications TribunalRestrictedRestricted 18 in 1972. [43]
1964 Last Exit to Brooklyn Hubert Selby Jr. NovelIndecent Publications Tribunal1967–1971RestrictedRestricted to "adults engaged in work or research in sociological and related fields" in 1967 "because it deals almost exclusively and in sickening detail with the grossest forms of evil." It was given an R18 classification in 1971 because "the importance this work has assumed in contemporary literature is such that adults should now be able to read it". [151] In 2014 it was given an R16 classification by the OFLC because its 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". [152]
1959 Naked Lunch William S. Burroughs NovelIndecent Publications Tribunal1967–1974RestrictedRuled indecent in 1967. In 1974 it was ruled indecent in the hands of persons under the age of 18. [24]
Soft MachineNovelIndecent Publications Tribunal1971–2014UnrestrictedGiven an R18 classification in 1971. [24] It was unrestricted by the OFLC in 2014 after Auckland Council made a request for reconsideration. [153]
The Wild BoysNovelIndecent Publications TribunalRestrictedGiven an R18 classification in 1975. [24]
1965 The Story of O Pauline Réage Erotic novelIndecent Publications Tribunal1967–2014RestrictedIn 1967 it was restricted to professional psychiatrists. The terms of its circulation was expanded in 1976 to include clinical psychologists. [136] In 2014 it was given an R16 classification by the OFLC. [154]
1887 Psychopathia Sexualis Richard von Krafft-Ebing Medical textbookIndecent Publications Tribunal1967–2015UnrestrictedIn 1967 its sale was restricted to persons concerned either professionally or as students with sexual abnormalities. [41] It was given an unrestricted classification by the OFLC in 2015. [155]
The PearlAnonymousIndecent Publications TribunalRestrictedIn 1969 and 1976 it was ruled indecent except in the hands of persons over the age of 18 years engaged in research relevant to the material of the book. [156]
1969 Oh! Calcutta! Kenneth Tynan LibrettoIndecent Publications Tribunal1970–1974UnrestrictedRuled indecent in 1970. The ruling applied only to the script, not to any performance of the play. [157] Ruled not indecent in 1974. [158]
1971Frost Richard Amory Erotic novelIndecent Publications Tribunal1972BannedRuled indecent in 1972. [125]
1966The Song of the LoonErotic novelIndecent Publications Tribunal1970–1993RestrictedRuled indecent in 1970. [125] It was given an R16 classification in 1993 after a request for reconsideration from the Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand Trust. [3]
1967Confessions of a PimpNick G. as told to Jon FowlerNovelIndecent Publications Tribunal1971BannedRuled indecent in 1971: [6] [159] "There is nothing of any substance in this worthless novel by way of characterisation or story to interfere with the simple appeal it makes to wallow in grossly offensive incidents of sexual indulgence." [160]
1969The Goddess GameHugh BarronIndecent Publications Tribunal1971RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1971. [129] [23]
1971Jackboot GirlsLeslie McManusFictionIndecent Publications Tribunal1971BannedRuled indecent in 1971. [23] [137]
1970Bloody MamaRobert ThornNovelIndecent Publications Tribunal1971–2012UnrestrictedRuled indecent in 1971. [23] Unrestricted by the OFLC in 2012. [161] [162] [163]
1967A Lesbian HappeningTony TrelosNovelIndecent Publications TribunalRestrictedRestricted 18 in 1972. [133] [6]
1956Roman Orgy Marcus van Heller Indecent Publications Tribunal1972BannedRuled indecent in 1972. [133]
Olympia Reader Maurice Girodias Indecent Publications Tribunal1972BannedRuled indecent in 1972. [131]
1970The New Olympia ReaderIndecent Publications Tribunal1972–1993RestrictedRuled indecent in 1972. [131] It was given an R18 classification in 1993 after a request for reconsideration from the Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand Trust. [3]
1971 The Room Hubert Selby Jr. Indecent Publications TribunalRestrictedGiven an R18 classification in 1973. [138]
1972Hello Sex
  • Anders Jorgens
  • Gunilla Jorgens
Indecent Publications Tribunal1973BannedRuled indecent in 1973. [164]
Over-exposureDenis William ShirleyIndecent Publications Tribunal1973BannedRuled indecent in 1973. [165]
1970One for the Gods Gordon Merrick Indecent Publications Tribunal1973–1993RestrictedRuled indecent in 1973. [45] Given an R18 classification in 1993 after a request for reconsideration from the Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand Trust. [3]
1971The Lord Won't MindIndecent Publications Tribunal1973–1993Restricted
1971 The Happy Hooker Xaviera Hollander MemoirIndecent Publications Tribunal1973BannedRuled indecent in 1973. [26]
1973Inside Linda Lovelace Linda Lovelace AutobiographyIndecent Publications Tribunal1974BannedRuled indecent in 1974 and 1978. [137] [6]
White Lunch Comix No. 1 Robert Crumb Indecent Publications Tribunal1974BannedRuled indecent in 1974. [130]
XYZ ComicsIndecent Publications Tribunal1974BannedRuled indecent in 1974. [26]
1972 The Joy of Sex Alex Comfort Sex manualIndecent Publications TribunalRestrictedThe paperback edition was given an R16 classification in 1975 [130] [166] and in 1978 the hardback edition was as well. [167]
More Joy of SexIndecent Publications TribunalRestrictedGiven an R16 classification in 1976 [130] [168] and 1978. [169] In 2014 Auckland Council requested that the OFLC reconsider the book and it was given the same R16 classification. [170]
Intimate Embrace David Oliver Cauldwell Indecent Publications Tribunal1975RestrictedRestricted 16 in 1975. [24]
Snatches and LaysIndecent Publications Tribunal1975BannedRuled indecent in 1975. [126]
John and MimiIndecent Publications Tribunal1975BannedRuled indecent in 1975. [137]
Summer Holiday Sex Manual Tuppy Owens Indecent Publications Tribunal1975BannedRuled indecent in 1975. [136]
1974 Show Me! Helga Fleischhauer-HardtSex educationIndecent Publications Tribunal1976BannedThe English-language edition was ruled indecent by the IPT in 1976. [126] The German-language edition was classified as objectionable by the OFLC in 1996: "the book purports to be a manual for the sexual education of children, but presents children in an erotic manner". [171]
Confessions of a Window Cleaner Timothy Lea Indecent Publications Tribunal1976RestrictedRestricted 16 in 1976. [41]
Down Under the Plum Trees
  • Michael Murphy
  • Felicity Tuohy
Indecent Publications Tribunal1977RestrictedRestricted 18 unless instructed by parents or professional advisers. An interim restriction order was made. [45]
1975Ancient and Modern Methods of Growing Extraordinary MarijuanaAdam GottliebInstructionalIndecent Publications Tribunal1978Banned [139] [5]
1975The Complete Psilocybin Mushroom Cultivator's BibleInstructionalIndecent Publications Tribunal1978Banned [159] [5]
Horney HousewifeIndecent Publications Tribunal1979Banned [172] [6]
Make it Happy: What Sex is all AboutJane CousinsIndecent Publications TribunalRestrictedRestricted 16 in 1979. [173]
Delta of Venus Anaïs Nin Collection of erotic short storiesIndecent Publications Tribunal1979RestrictedRestricted 16 in 1979. [45]
1976Xaviera's Supersex Xaviera Hollander Indecent Publications Tribunal1980,1986Banned [174] [175]
1969The Improvised Munitions Handbook United States Department of the Army InstructionalIndecent Publications Tribunal1983Banned [5] [176]
1977Home Workshop Guns for Defense and Resistance Volume 1Bill HolmesInstructionalIndecent Publications Tribunal1983Banned [5]
1979Home Workshop Guns for Defense and Resistance Volume 2InstructionalIndecent Publications Tribunal1983Banned
1982Bare KillsOscar Diaz-CoboInstructionalIndecent Publications Tribunal1983Banned
1980Galactic Girl Fiona Richmond Indecent Publications Tribunal1982–1992RestrictedRuled indecent in 1982 for having "no honest purpose [and being] capable of corrupting persons likely to read the book". [177] "Normally, it is possible to discern a plot in books that are referred to the Tribunal. In considering this publication, we have had considerable difficulty in trying to find any coherent story in the mass of explicit sexual descriptions that permeate this book." [177] It was given an R18 classification in 1992: "Galactic Girl consists of a series of sexual encounters loosely strung together without benefit of plot. There is a brief description of spanking (page 86) and on page 126 there is a foiled attempt to get a robot to rape a woman, but these are passing incidents which in no way constitute the dominant effect. We accordingly classify this publication as indecent in the hands of persons under the age of 18 years." [178]
A Different LoveIndecent Publications Tribunal1985BannedA Different Love and I Once Had a Master were ruled indecent in 1985 because they "dwell on and glamorise the sexual side of homosexual relationships". [179]
I Once Had a Master John Preston Indecent Publications Tribunal1985Banned
1977Men Loving Men Mitch Walker Indecent Publications Tribunal1983–1993UnrestrictedMen Loving Men, The Joy of Gay Sex, and Lovers were ruled indecent in 1983 because, although they were presented in a "serious restrained manner, [they] nevertheless promote and encourage homosexual activity, which is of course a criminal offence in New Zealand, [lower-alpha 4] thereby liable to corrupt persons who might read them." [180] Men Loving Men kept its classification in 1988 in a 3–2 decision [3] for not dealing with the subject of AIDS, the section on S&M, and a "very brief section on drugs as a means of enhancing sexual pleasure". [181] All three books were ruled not indecent in 1993 after a request for reconsideration from the Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand Trust. [3]
Joy of Gay SexIndecent Publications Tribunal1983–1993Unrestricted
LoversIndecent Publications Tribunal1983–1993Unrestricted
Coming to Power Samois Indecent Publications Tribunal1985BannedRuled indecent in 1985: "Some of the stories are well written but many are crude and lacking in any redeeming features." [182]
1896Parisian Frolics Adolphe Belot Indecent Publications Tribunal1985BannedBanned because its stories "had no literary features, and were little more than a camouflage for a series of explicit sexual episodes." [183]
1810Venus School Mistress George Cannon Indecent Publications Tribunal1985BannedBanned for lacking "any real historical, social, or literary merit". "At best it is a social document but we feel it lacks any real historical, social, or literary merit to declare it other than indecent. We are reinforced in this point of view by the impression that if this book was written now rather than over a century ago, the Tribunal would have little hesitation in finding it indecent." [183]
Joy Joy Laurey Indecent Publications Tribunal1987Banned [141]
1983The World of the American Pit Bull TerrierRichard F. StrattonNon-fictionIndecent Publications Tribunal1991Banned [5] [184]
Click Milo Manara Indecent Publications Tribunal1991Banned [185]
Boobytraps United States Department of the Army Indecent Publications Tribunal1991Banned [176]
Xaviera's Magic Mushrooms Xaviera Hollander Indecent Publications Tribunal1992RestrictedRestricted 18 in 1992. [178]
1971 The Anarchist Cookbook William PowellInstructionalIndecent Publications Tribunal1994Banned [186]

Office of Film and Literature Classification (1994–present)

PublishedTitleAuthorTypeBanned byBannedCurrent statusNotes
1991Diva Obsexion
  • Federico De Zigno
  • Riccardo Morrocchi
  • Stefano Piselli
IllustratedOffice of Film and Literature Classification1995BannedBanned for tending to support a theme of sadistic force against women. [187] [188]
The Great Big Narcotics CookbookBookOffice of Film and Literature Classification1995BannedBanned because it details how to manufacture and use illegal drugs. [189]
Behind Closed Doors Alina Reyes FictionOffice of Film and Literature Classification1996BannedBanned because it "tends to promote and support the exploitation of children and young persons for sexual purposes, the use of urine and excrement in association with sexual conduct, the act of bestiality, and the infliction of extreme violence." [190]
1992The Seventh Acolyte ReaderCollection of short stories
1996BannedBanned in 1996. The ban was upheld by the Board of Review in 1997 and 2000. [191] In Moonen v Film and Literature Board of Review, the 1997 classification was appealed to the High Court and then to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal rejected the appeal, but concluded that neither the High Court nor the Board of Review had given effective consideration to the Bill of Rights Act. The Court of Appeal determined that the words of the Classification Act must be given "such available meaning as impinges as little as possible on the freedom of expression". As a result of the Moonen case, the OFLC must always consider the freedom of expression set out in the Bill of Rights Act. [192] [193]
Total Abuse: Collected Writings, 1984–1995 Peter Sotos Office of Film and Literature Classification1998BannedBanned "because it promotes and supports the exploitation of children and young persons for sexual purposes; the use of violence to force persons to submit to sexual conduct; sexual conduct with a dead person; the use of urine and excrement in association with degrading, dehumanising and sexual conduct (rape, torture and abuse); bestiality; and acts of torture and the infliction of extreme violence and extreme cruelty." [194]
1997The Giant Black Book of Computer Viruses Mark Ludwig Non-fictionOffice of Film and Literature Classification1998BannedBanned for its instructional purpose and "mischievous design": "It is clear from the way that the book is organised that the information is intended to be put to use [...] the warning on the back cover of the book is a clear invitation for irresponsible computer users to use the information." [195]
1996Death Scenes: A Homicide Detective's ScrapbookPhotobookOffice of Film and Literature Classification1998BannedBanned because of "the significant extent and degree to which this book presents degrading and dehumanising images of death": "The Classification Office believes that there is likely injury to the public good in forensic photographs of this nature being widely available as entertainment." [196]
1976David Hamilton's Private Collection David Hamilton PhotobookOffice of Film and Literature Classification1998BannedBanned for tending to promote or support the sexual exploitation of children and young persons. [188]
1992 Twenty Five Years of an Artist PhotobookOffice of Film and Literature Classification1998BannedBanned for sexualizing children and young persons. [197]
1999Holiday SnapshotsPhotobook
  • Office of Film and Literature Classification
  • Film and Literature Board of Review
2000BannedBanned in 2000. The ban was upheld by the Board of Review in 2001 [198] and 2004. [199]
Opium for the Masses Jim Hogshire EducationalOffice of Film and Literature Classification2002BannedBanned for explicitly detailing methods of procurement, cultivation, extraction and consumption of opium. [200]
1996Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World Paul Stamets EducationalOffice of Film and Literature Classification2002BannedBanned because it "deals exclusively with the location, identification and ingestion" of controlled hallucinogenic plants. [201]
The Big Book Of Buds Ed Rosenthal EducationalOffice of Film and Literature Classification2002BannedBanned for promoting and encouraging cultivation and use of cannabis: "The publication contains extensive information on plant varieties, articles on topics such as decriminalisation of cannabis and the history of cannabis use, and numerous high quality photographs. Although the book advised against illegal activity, the dominant effect of the publication as a whole is the promotion and encouragement of the criminal act of cultivating and using cannabis, an offence under s9 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975." [202]
1998Advanced Techniques Of Clandestine Psychedelic & Amphetamine Manufacture Uncle Fester EducationalOffice of Film and Literature Classification2003BannedBanned for instructing how to clandestinely manufacture and distribute illegal drugs. [203]
2006 The Peaceful Pill Handbook Non-fictionOffice of Film and Literature Classification2007MixedThe original edition of the book ( ISBN   978-0-9788788-2-5) was banned in 2007 for dealing with "the infliction of serious physical harm", giving "instruction on how to commit and conceal criminal acts" such as drug smuggling and manufacture, and "how to conceal one's involvement with the commission of a suicide". [204] The New Revised International Edition ( ISBN   978-0-9788788-3-2) which altered the original by obscuring sections of text was given an R18 classification in 2008 and must be in a sealed bag labelled with the classification: "The dominant effect of these rather obvious 'censored sections' is that the book no longer provides sufficient practical instructional detail in how to commit crime to fall within s3(3)(d) of the FVPC Act. A secondary effect is that readers are left in no doubt about the authors' opinion of New Zealand censorship law and of the Classification Office's application of it to the first version of this book. This secondary effect is, however, of no concern to the law because it is an expression of opinion." [205] The Society for Promotion of Community Standards made a request for reconsideration in 2008, but the Board of Review did not change the R18 classification. [206]
Little Sister Club 2Various / DO ComicsMangaOffice of Film and Literature Classification2007BannedBanned for encouraging readers to view children and young teenagers as valid objects of sexual desire, to derive sexual pleasure from inflicting pain, and to use violence against vulnerable young people to compel participation in sexual conduct. [207]
Pleasant Dripping With SweatIzumi TsukimoriMangaOffice of Film and Literature Classification2009BannedBanned because it encourages readers "to view children and young persons as valid objects of sexual desire who are physically and emotionally available for sexual activity, and therefore promotes their exploitation by adults". [208]
2012 Into the River Ted DaweNovelOffice of Film and Literature Classification2015UnrestrictedBanned in 2015; subsequently unrestricted in the same year. [209]
2016Natsu no MaboroshiTakanae Kyourin Doujinshi Office of Film and Literature Classification2018BannedBanned because "Its purpose is to sexually arouse those with a interest in children and it encourages adults to regard children as appropriate subjects for sexual fantasy." [210]
2017Oji-san to. / With an Old GuyTarazooDoujinshiOffice of Film and Literature Classification2018BannedBanned because "Its purpose is to sexually arouse those with a interest in young girls and it encourages adults to regard them as appropriate subjects for sexual fantasy." [211]
2017KokonotokoroIshikeiDoujinshiOffice of Film and Literature Classification2018BannedBanned for encouraging adults to regard children and young persons as appropriate subjects for sexual fantasy. [212]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 The High Court was called the Supreme Court until 1980.
  2. named the Censorship Appeal Board, later renamed to the Advisory Committee of Literature [15]
  3. as the Literary Advisory Committee
  4. Consensual sex between men was legalized in New Zealand in 1986 with the passage of the Homosexual Law Reform Act.

Related Research Articles

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