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The Commercial Approvals Bureau (CAB — also known as TCAB or TVCAB) was established in 1989 to independently review and approve television advertising content before it is broadcast in New Zealand.

CAB plays a central role in New Zealand’s advertising ecosystem. Our purpose is to help advertisers reduce compliance risk and protect broadcasters’ reputations by identifying potential issues before commercials go to air. Every advertisement submitted to CAB is independently assessed against the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) Codes, as well as individual broadcasters’ terms, conditions, and policies.

Each year, CAB reviews and approves approximately 10,000 commercials across television and relevant digital platforms. CAB approval is mandatory — without it, a commercial cannot be broadcast in New Zealand.

CAB’s authority is derived from broadcasters’ rights to determine what content is acceptable for transmission on their platforms. CAB acts on their behalf to ensure advertising content meets regulatory, ethical, and broadcast standards before it reaches audiences.

CAB is supported by all major New Zealand broadcasters, advertisers, and media industry bodies, including the Communications Council (CCC) and the Association of New Zealand Advertisers (ANZA). This collective support underpins New Zealand’s self-regulatory advertising framework and helps maintain public trust in advertising.

To learn more about advertising self-regulation in New Zealand.