The Commercial Approvals Bureau (CAB) reviews, approves, and classifies all television advertisements broadcast on New Zealand’s television stations. Without CAB approval, a commercial cannot be aired.
Our independent review process reduces compliance risk by identifying issues early, avoiding complaints, regulatory action, and costly last-minute changes.
A quick and easy approvals process
Getting approval for your finished commercial
To get approval for a your commercial you’ll need to supply us with a viewing copy, the key number as it will be instructed to the broadcasters, and your billing and material contact details.
The easiest way to apply is via our online application form.
Free concept & script advice
We provide a same day service for advice on scripts and creative concepts. Getting advice on your concept or script is entirely voluntary, but getting us involved early reduces the chance of an unpleasant surprise further down the line.
Find what you’re looking for
Our classification system
Every approved commercial is given a classification or rating. These classifications determine what time of day the ad may be broadcast. For example, a commercial with an AO rating cannot be broadcast before 8:30pm.
Our approvals fees
The fee for approving a commercial depends on whether it’s an original commercial or a revision to an existing commercial.
Advice on scripts or creative concepts is always free.
The rules and standards
We assess every concept, script or finished commercial against both the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA’s) codes and the television broadcasters’ own specific term, conditions and rules.
Understanding key numbers
There’s an NZ industry standard to ensure that they are always compatible with the broadcasters’ internal systems and that the right ad is always scheduled.
Some things are sensitive
Advertising for therapeutics, alcohol, gambling, children’s food and financial services can be sensitive.
We may require additional information to approve ad for these types of products.
Advertising self-regulation
Advertising in NZ is self regulated by the communications and media industry.
At the heart of the system is the ASA who set and enforce the standards that govern ads in all media.
Is it something else?
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CAB does not set a minimum font size for disclaimers or legal text. Our requirement is that any mandatory information must be clear, legible, and easily read by a typical viewer.
Not all small print is mandatory or equally important. The more important the information is, the more important it is that it is clearly legible and sufficiently prominent.
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Yes. The key number we have on record for your commercial must exactly match what is instructed and supplied to broadcasters. If a broadcaster cannot find your key number in our system, they cannot broadcast the commercial.
There is no charge to update or amend a key number — just let us know.
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CAB approval applies to the specific version of a commercial that is broadcast. If that version changes, a new key number is required so broadcasters can identify and schedule the correct approved material.
Any revised commercial, no matter how small the change, therefore requires CAB approval. Minor revisions are normally processed quickly and attract a reduced approval fee.
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Most commercials are approved within three working hours (assuming we have everything we need). We’ll confirm approval by email, and broadcasters can immediately view the approval in CAB’s system.
If you haven’t heard back within six working hours, please let us know — gremlins do happen! -
No. CAB approval does not guarantee compliance with the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA’s) Advertising Codes.
CAB assesses commercials against the ASA Advertising Codes and broadcasters’ policies prior to broadcast. However, the ASA remains the independent complaints body, and complaints may still be made about commercials that have received CAB approval.
If a complaint is made to the ASA about a commercial that CAB has approved, we will robustly defend our approval decision on behalf of the media.