Independent Reference Group
The Department established an Independent Reference Group (IRG), the membership of which is representative of enforcement agencies, the Office of Film and Literature Classification, Internet Service Providers, Internet users, and agencies and community groups with an interest in the welfare of children.
The general function of the IRG is to maintain oversight of the operation of the Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System to ensure it is operated with integrity and adheres to the principles set down in the Code of Practice.
Members of the IRG
- David Shanks - Chief Censor, Office of Film & Literature Classification
- Kathleen Logan - Office of the Children's Commissioner
- Tim Houston - Manager Digital Child Exploitation, Department of Internal Affairs
- Mark Harris - Technology Research & Consulting
- Leela Gantman - Corporate Relations Director, Spark New Zealand
- Geoff Thorn - Chief Executive Officer, Telecommunication Carriers Forum
- David Stone - Consultant
Meeting minutes and briefing documents
July 2021
- Meeting Minutes - July 2021 (.pdf, 713kb)
- Meeting Agenda – July 2021 (.pdf, 2.1mb)
April 2021
- Meeting Minutes - April 2021 (.pdf, 194kb)
November 2020
- Meeting Minutes - November 2020 (.pdf, 173kb)
November 2019
- Meeting Minutes - November 2019 (.pdf, 120kb)
March 2019
Due to operational reasons associated with the events of 15th March 2019, and the resulting number of absences amongst the Independent Reference Group (IRG) members it was decided to postpone the March meeting of the IRG.
- March 2019 Report (.pdf, 187kb)
June and July 2018
- Briefing Document - June 2018 (.pdf, 119kb)
- Meeting Minutes - July 2018 (.pdf, 120kb)
April 2018
- Briefing Document - April 2018 (.pdf, 130kb)
- Meeting Minutes - April 2018 (.pdf, 124kb)
December 2017
- Briefing Document - Decemeber 2017 (.pdf, 580kb)
- Meeting Minutes - December 2017 (.pdf, 470kb)
July 2017
- Briefing Document - July 2017 (.pdf, 181KB)*
- Meeting Minutes - July 2017 (.pdf, 106KB)*
February 2017
- Briefing Document - February 2017 (.pdf, 181KB)*
- Meeting Minutes - February 2017 (.pdf, 106KB)*
August 2015
- Briefing Document - August 2015 (.pdf, 656KB)*
- Meeting Minutes - August 2015 (.pdf, 1.6MB)*
May 2015
- Briefing Document - May 2015 (.pdf, 131KB)*
- Meeting Minutes - May 2015 (.pdf, 57KB)*
November 2014
- Briefing Document - November 2014 (.pdf, 95kb)*
- Meeting Minutes - November 2014 (.pdf, 116kb)*
March 2014
December 2013
June 2013
December 2012
April 2012
December 2011
August 2011
April 2011
March 2011
October 2010
February 2010
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