Family Group Lays Police Complaint Re Offensive Shirt

Media Release 13 Feb 2015
Family First NZ is laying a complaint with the police over a highly offensive t-shirt being displayed at a Canterbury Museum exhibition.

The shirt which features highly offensive wording and objectionable imagery has already been deemed unacceptable by both the Internal Affairs Department and in the Invercargill District Court in 2012. In 2008, the chief censor banned t-shirts with the same wording, making it illegal to wear it or sell or distribute it after they were deemed to be demeaning and degrading to women and Christians, especially involving a highly offensive word.

“Canterbury Museum is funded by the good people of Christchurch and they deserve far better. The Museum should show some respect to the many families who will be horrified and offended by this and remove the offensive material. Sinking to these low levels is an insult to many families,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

Family First was successful in getting the Advertising Standards Authority to uphold their complaint and ban the Internet Mana party’s ‘Join the Revolution’ advert on YouTube which includes a crowd chanting “f*** John Key”. They also slammed Auckland hip-hop crew @peace for their release containing lyrics that threaten to kill Prime Minister John Key and have sex with his daughter.

“Museums should be places that local communities are proud of as they reflect the history of their area. This shirt and its message is nothing to be proud of.”
ENDS