The Department of Internal Affairs

Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua

Building a safe, prosperous and respected nation



Code of Practice

The Department of Internal Affairs has a Code of Practice for the operation of the website filtering system to prevent access to websites containing images of child sexual abuse.

Code of Practice - October 2024

Code of Practice - June 2022 (for historical reference)

Code of Practice - July 2017 (for historical reference)

Code of Practice - March 2013 (for historical reference)

Code of Practice - May 2012 (for historical reference)

The Code of Practice provides assurance that only website pages containing images of child sexual abuse will be filtered and the privacy of ISP customers is maintained. The filter will not cover email, file sharing or borderline material.

The Code of Practice is a living document. Anyone may request a review or amendment to the full Code or parts of the Code at any time, by emailing dcet@dia.govt.nz and including, if applicable, particular sections of the Code that require attention.

For more information please read our media release: Web filter Code of Practice available (25 July 2009)

Independent Reference Group - Terms of Reference