New Zealand

At CES 2000, I spoke with Barry Wood at the Evil Angel booth. He runs the porn distribution group "Video Wholesalers" out of Auckland, New Zealand.

Luke: "New Zealand employs 40 fulltime censors. So what is not allowed?"

Barry: "Degradading, demeaning, and dehumanizing..."

Luke: "Like spitting on her face?"

Barry: "Yeah. Cumming on the face. Well, it depends on how they do it. If it is a short one, it is ok. If it is a long one, you've got to cut it down. Most of the films we get in are pre-edited and then submitted to the Board [of Censorship]."

Luke: "On a typical Evil Angel tape, how much is cut out?"

Barry: "We normally get a slightly different version that John makes for it... A normally two hour and 20 minute tape ends up 2:10...

"We do TV commercials on various lines we carry. They carry them free because it brings in viewers...

"Porno has been legal for eight years in New Zealand. But we're headed for some major changes. I think we're going to follow along the lines of Australia [where internet hardcore is illegal]. Our censorship board is also going to change to the Australian system."

Luke: "What's the sentiment of the general population?"

Barry: "Like most countries, the people who watch this stuff don't say anything about it until it is too late. So, there's really no public opinion against anything until afterwards."

Luke: "So what about prostitution? Legal or illegal?"

Barry: "It is a grey area. It's basically illegal but it's allowed to go on. I'm hoping that they may legalize that."

Luke: "So you bring porn stars down to New Zealand to do signings?"

Barry: "Yeah and dancing... We have a total population three-and-a-half million people..."