A recent study conducted by the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found TV and radio audiences have a decreasing tolerance to racial and cultural insults.
The survey cast over one thousand people over the age of 18 in 2022, found a lower tolerance among New Zealand audiences towards racial and cultural insults compared to a survey in 2018.
31 words and phrases that could offend some audiences were put to the respondents. They included swear words, racial and gender-based terms and blasphemy.
The survey found the N-word is the least acceptable of all words, 65 percent of respondents found it unacceptable across all scenarios.
The C-word closely followed the N-word in the least acceptable words, 57 percent of respondents found it unacceptable.
Unacceptability has declined significantly in swear words like the F-word since a survey in 2018, the BSA study results suggest attitudes towards blasphemy is softening.
BSA chief executive Glen Scanlon said in a statement it is clear where New Zealand audiences stand on racism.
"The community is clearly saying that it will not accept language which perpetuates racism."
The results show pacific people are least accepting of offensive language, with the N-word being the most offensive word for them.
It found racial and gender-based terms were the most unacceptable for Māori.
Scanlon said the study highlights the important role of context in how audiences view the use of language.
"It also further underlines the value of audience advisories that clearly warn of language that some may find challenging, and of broadcasting at a time appropriate to the content – allowing audiences to make informed viewing and listening choices."
