BSA Decisions Ngā whakatau a Te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho

Summary  

[This summary does not form part of the decision.] 

The Authority has declined to determine a complaint, under the offensive and disturbing content standard, about a PG-rated Hyundai Country Calendar episode where a farmer said ‘shit’ twice. In light of the Authority’s guidance on complaints that are unlikely to succeed and previous decisions on low-level offensive language, the Authority considered it appropriate to decline to determine the complaint.

Declined to determine (section 11(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1989 – in all the circumstances): Offensive and Disturbing Content

The broadcast

[1]  An episode of Hyundai Country Calendar, about a Timbersports champion balancing intense training with running a sheep and beef farm, was broadcast at 7pm on Sunday 19 July 2026, on TVNZ 1. It was rated PG (Parental Guidance: Parental Guidance recommended for younger viewers).¹

[2]  The word ‘shit’ was used twice in the broadcast, when the farmer recounted his training regimen:

But every year I've done all sorts of silly shit to try and get myself fit. It's amazing what you think you need to do. Where we used to live we’re about three or four [kilometres] from our mailbox, and there's some days there where it was dark and coming home, and I just felt like I wasn't very fit and felt like I hadn't done enough that day, so [partner’s name] kicked me out of the ute, and I run home in bloody jeans and sneakers, so um, yeah, silly shit like that, but I suppose it all helps. 

The complaint

[3]  Nicholas Beekhuis complained the swearing in the broadcast breached the offensive and disturbing content standard of the Code of Broadcasting Standards in New Zealand. ‘The word shit was used numerous times. This is a family show and I allow my young children to watch this show. It is inappropriate content and the swearing should be edited out.’

[4]  On referral to the Authority, the complainant sought to rely on the children’s interests standard:

• ‘While watching this programme with my children on TVNZ at 7pm, there was repeated use of the word “shit”.’
• The complainant said Country Calendar and any other programmes including swearing should be rated M and aired after 7.30pm.

[5]  Under section 8(1B) of the Broadcasting Act 1989, the Authority is only able to consider complaints under the standard(s) raised in the original complaint to the broadcaster. In this case, the original complaint might be interpreted as impliedly raising the children’s interests standard, given the reference to young children. However, it is unnecessary to do this because the issues raised can be properly addressed under the offensive and disturbing content standard.² In any event, our decision would be no different under the children’s interests standard.

The broadcaster’s response

[6]  Television New Zealand Ltd (TVNZ) did not uphold the complaint for the following reasons:

• ‘The BSA say isolated instances of low-level coarse language will rarely breach the good taste and decency or children’s interests standards, particularly when aired during programmes rated PG or above, or during news bulletins. Words and phrases considered to be low-level bad language include […] “shit”.’
• ‘(TVNZ) notes the Country Calendar episode you have complained about was classified PG and accordingly we consider the expectations of the Offensive & Disturbing Content Standard were comfortably met.’

Outcome: Decline to determine

[7]  Section 11(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1989 authorises the Authority to decline to determine a complaint if it considers, in all the circumstances of the complaint, it should not be determined by the Authority.

[8]  The decisions of the Authority issued over time, and the Authority’s publication Complaints that are unlikely to succeed,³ provide guidance to broadcasters and complainants about what is acceptable under the broadcasting standards.

[9]  As indicated by the broadcaster, this guidance notes that low-level offensive language, including the word ‘shit’, will rarely breach the offensive and disturbing content standard, particularly when aired during programmes rated PG or above.⁴

[10]  The PG rating was displayed on screen at the start of the programme and after each ad break. Within the context of this programme and the Authority’s consistent approach, we consider it appropriate to exercise our s 11(b) discretion in this instance.

For the above reasons the Authority declines to determine the complaint under section 11(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1989. 

Signed for and on behalf of the Authority

Susie Staley
Chair
30 September 2026   

Appendix

The correspondence listed below was received and considered by the Authority when it determined this complaint:

1  Beekhuis’ original complaint – 19 July 2026

2  TVNZ’s decision – 20 July 2026

3  Beekhuis’ referral to the Authority – 20 July 2026

4  TVNZ’s confirmation of no further comments – 10 August 2026

¹ Guideline 1.2: Offensive and Disturbing Content, Code of Broadcasting Standards in New Zealand, page 6
² See test in Attorney General of Samoa v TVWorks Ltd [2012] NZHC 131, [2012] NZAR 407 at [62]
³ Broadcasting Standards Authority I Te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho “Complaints that are unlikely to succeed” <bsa.govt.nz>: (see section on ‘Low-level language’)
⁴ For similar findings, see Hector and Radio New Zealand Ltd, Decision No.2023-086; Truijens and Radio New Zealand Ltd, Decsion No. 2025-044; and Jones and Discovery NZ Ltd, Decision No. 2023-006