Protecting Our Communities from Harm: A cost-benefit analysis of forensic classification services – summary report
October 2026
The findings of an independent cost-benefit analysis undertaken by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) for the Classification Office, which examines whether investment in forensic classification services delivers benefits to New Zealand that outweigh the costs of providing them.
Appendix: Full NZIER report
Key findings from the report
- The measurable benefits outweigh the costs. The analysis estimates a benefit-cost ratio of 1.1:1 to 2.2:1. This means that for every $1 invested in forensic classification services, New Zealand receives an estimated $1.10 to $2.20 in measurable benefits.
- Reducing harm to people accounts for the largest estimated benefit. This includes reducing harm associated with exposure to and further circulation of objectionable material, particularly material involving child sexual exploitation and other serious forms of victimisation.
- Forensic classification supports the wider justice system. Independent specialist decisions can improve consistency, reduce duplicated assessment and save investigative and court time.
- The estimates are deliberately conservative. The analysis used cautious assumptions, including assuming that a 10% increase in services would translate into only a 1% increase in benefits.
- The dollar figures capture only part of the value. Benefits including institutional independence, natural justice, longer-term and intergenerational harm reduction, and confidence in the justice system could not be reliably monetised and are therefore not fully reflected in the benefit-cost ratio.
- Further investment has the potential to increase the impact of the system. NZIER identified increased classification capacity, greater use of hashing technology, stronger integration with justice-sector agencies and further training as mechanisms that could generate additional benefits over time.
Methodology at a glance
Research provider: New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER)
Approach: Cost-benefit analysis following a ten-step process informed by New Zealand Treasury guidance
Perspective: Societal – considering costs and benefits to New Zealand
Time horizon: 10 years
Discount rate: 2%, with sensitivity testing up to 8%
Evidence sources: Literature and document review, Classification Office information, and interviews with New Zealand Police, New Zealand Customs Service, Department of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice and Tech Against Terrorism
Analytical approach: Direct estimation of service costs, combined with reverse analysis to estimate the level of improvement required for identified benefits to justify investment
More detail: See the full NZIER report
Young people helped shape the summary
Before publication, the Office discussed the findings with its Youth Advisory Panel and a representative from NZIER. The Panel emphasised the importance of explaining the findings in clear, accessible language and showing the real-world impacts of harmful content and the role of prevention. Their feedback helped shape the “What this report means for New Zealanders” section of the summary report.
Content warning
This report includes high-level discussion of harmful online content, including content that is illegal in New Zealand. This includes references to child sexual abuse material, violent extremist content and graphic violence. The report does not include detailed descriptions of this content, but the topics discussed are highly sensitive and may be distressing or upsetting for some readers.
Related research and resources
Related Classification Office research
- Online Exposure: Experiences of Extreme or Illegal Content in Aotearoa | Classification Office
- Online Exposure: Experiences of Extreme or Illegal Content in Aotearoa | Zenodo
- Content that Crosses the Line: Conversations with young people about extremely harmful content online | Classification Office
- Online Misogyny and Violent Extremism: Understanding the Landscape – Summary Report | Zenodo
Related Classification Office resources
- What is harmful and illegal content? | Te Mana Whakaatu Classification Office | Classification Office
- What is Objectionable Content? | Classification Office
- How to Report Harmful or Illegal Online Content in New Zealand | Te Mana Whakaatu Classification Office | Classification Office
- What should I do if I see harmful or illegal content online? FAQs | Classification Office
How to cite this report?
Recommended citation
Te Mana Whakaatu Classification Office. (2026). Protecting our communities from harm: A cost benefit analysis of forensic classification services (Summary Report). Wellington, NZ: Te Mana Whakaatu Classification Office. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23328557
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Publication details
Institutional author: Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office
Lead author: Caitlin Wimsett
Reviewer: Megan Fitzpatrick
Contributor: Caroline Flora
Underlying economic analysis: Megan Fitzpatrick and Todd Krieble, New Zealand Institute of Economic Research
Publisher: Classification Office – Te Mana Whakaatu
Published: October 2026
The summary report draws on an independent cost-benefit analysis undertaken by Megan Fitzpatrick and Todd Krieble of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) for Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office.
Copyright and license
Copyright © 2026 Classification Office - Te Mana Whakaatu.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. In essence, you are free to copy, distribute and adapt the work, as long as you attribute the work to Classification Office - Te Mana Whakaatu and abide by other license terms. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Other citation styles
APA 7th
Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office. (2026). Protecting our communities from harm: A cost-benefit analysis of forensic classification services (Summary Report). Classification Office – Te Mana Whakaatu. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23328557
MLA 9th
Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office. Protecting Our Communities from Harm: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Forensic Classification Services (Summary Report). Classification Office – Te Mana Whakaatu, 2026. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23328557
Vancouver
Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office. Protecting our communities from harm: A cost-benefit analysis of forensic classification services (Summary Report) [Internet]. Wellington (NZ): Classification Office – Te Mana Whakaatu; 2026. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23328557
New Zealand Law Style Guide
Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office Protecting our communities from harm: A cost-benefit analysis of forensic classification services (Summary Report) (October 2026).
Harvard
Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office (2026) Protecting our communities from harm: A cost-benefit analysis of forensic classification services (Summary Report). Wellington, New Zealand: Classification Office – Te Mana Whakaatu. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23328557
Chicago
Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office. Protecting Our Communities from Harm: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Forensic Classification Services (Summary Report). Wellington: Classification Office – Te Mana Whakaatu, 2026. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23328557
IEEE
Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office, Protecting Our Communities from Harm: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Forensic Classification Services (Summary Report). Wellington, New Zealand: Classification Office – Te Mana Whakaatu, 2026. doi: [DOI].
OSCOLA 5th ed
Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office, Protecting Our Communities from Harm: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Forensic Classification Services (Summary Report) (2026)