This Act gave the Office of Film and Literature Classification jurisdiction to classify a broader range of publications than was possessed by her predecessor as Chief Censor, Jane Wrightson, whose jurisdiction was limited to the classification of films for public exhibition. When she was appointed Chief Censor, the opposition women's affairs spokesperson Elizabeth Tennet MP raised fears that Paterson would import Australian "macho cultural imperialism" into New Zealand.
This legislation enabled the Office of Film and Literature Classification to categorize a broader range of publications than its predecessor, Jane Wrightson, who was limited to classifying films for public display. Upon her appointment as Chief Censor, Elizabeth Tennet MP, the opposition's women's affairs spokesperson, expressed concerns that Paterson would bring Australian "masculine cultural influence" into New Zealand.