The New Zealand government is expanding its Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System to block AI-generated abuse material, responding to a rapid increase in reports. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden announced today that the Department of Internal Affairs has begun integrating a new block list from the UK-based Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to target non-photographic imagery, including cartoons and animations.
Why the government is expanding the filter
The move follows a sharp rise in reports regarding AI-generated child sexual abuse material. According to the Department of Internal Affairs, the agency received 151 reports of suspected AI-generated material from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) during 2025. In the first three months of 2026 alone, that figure reached 267 reports. Minister van Velden described this as “exponential growth,” noting that the department is moving to address the technology because the content is illegal under the New Zealand Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act. Last year, 1News reporting highlighted a 400% global rise in such material, prompting warnings that domestic systems risked falling behind.
How the new technology works
The system now incorporates the IWF’s Non-Photographic Imagery list, which identifies websites hosting computer-generated exploitation material. While the Department of Internal Affairs previously operated a filter for child sexual abuse material, this integration specifically captures AI-generated imagery and animations. Minister van Velden stated that the department has already tested the technology and begun integration to ensure a seamless process. This development builds on existing efforts within the telecommunications sector; last year, Spark became the first New Zealand internet service provider to adopt the IWF’s non-photographic list to block similar content.
What may happen next
As the government integrates these new block lists, experts suggest the threat environment will likely continue to shift. IWF chief executive Kerry Smith warned that non-photographic depictions are not victimless, noting that they can serve as a pathway leading to contact abuse. Because the material is currently spreading across mainstream social media, chat forums, and search platforms, analysts expect the government may face ongoing pressure to update its filtering criteria as AI-generation tools evolve. Future responses could involve further collaboration with international agencies to identify new sources of illegal imagery, as the current data indicates the volume of suspected material is accelerating rapidly.
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