More about CAB

The Commercial Approvals Bureau (CAB, TCAB or TVCAB for short) was set-up in 1989 to approve the content of all television commercials before they are broadcast on any television or digital media outlet in New Zealand.

CAB’s purpose is to protect the reputation of broadcasters and minimises compliance risks for advertisers by vetting all television ads before they can be broadcast. Every ad is assessed against both the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA’s) Advertising Codes of Practice and the broadcasters’ own term, conditions and policies.

Each year we approve approximately 15,000 commercials. Without CAB’s approval, a commercial will not be broadcast in New Zealand.

Our authority comes of exercising the right of broadcasters to decide what is acceptable to be broadcast on their stations.

CAB is supported by all the major television stations, advertisers and media industry associations including the Communication Communications Council (CCC) and the Association of New Zealand Advertisers (ANZA).

Find out more about advertising self-regulation in New Zealand.