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Ted Dawe's book Into the River was initially banned by the Film and Literature Board of Review.

A censor involved in banning controversial novel Into the River is leaving the Film and Literature Board of Review.

Don Mathieson, QC, will be replaced as the board's president in January by Auckland lawyer Kate Davenport, QC.

Mathieson, a conservative Christian, made headlines in September, after Ted Dawe's teen novel Into The River was briefly banned, following a complaint from conservative lobby group Family First.

The book had previously won the NZ Post Children's Book Award, and the ban - the first handed down in 22 years - sparked public outrage.

By a majority vote, the board lifted the interim ban in October - and the book's previous R14 classification was thrown out at the same time, making it an unrestricted read.

Mathieson opposed the ruling, with a dissenting opinion in the board's final decision, saying "no responsible parent of a 17-year-old, let alone of a 12-year-old, would want this repetitive coarse language normalised."

On Monday, Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne announced Mathieson's departure from the board, in a statement announcing seven new appointments.

READ MORE:
* Into the River ban lifted by Film and Literature Board
* Racy teen novel Into the River banned after Family First complaint
* So what's all the fuss about Ted Dawe's book Into the River?

Mathieson, from Waikanae, north of Wellington, told Stuff he did not expect to be reappointed after two three-year terms, both as president, and did not put his name forward to continue in the job.

He said he was "not particularly glad or sorry" to be leaving the board, which he joined as a public service.

And Mathieson had no message to offer the incoming board members: "I wouldn't say anything to them at all, they're just bound to abide by the criteria in the 1993 Act as best they can. That's all."

He refused to comment on the controversy around Into the River, saying he had nothing to add beyond what was in his dissent.

In Mathieson's view, the book - which spoke of sex and drug-taking - should at least have an R14 classification.

Newcomers to the board include former Wellington Anglican bishop Tom Brown, who said members should keep an open mind and be aware that New Zealand was a liberal and caring community.

"Violence against children, violence against women too, those areas are of particular concern to me."

Brown said the final decision on Into the River was probably what most people were looking for, and its temporary removal from sale gave the opportunity for everybody to "pause and breathe".

"I think the right decision got through in the end."

In 2012, Brown made headlines when he handed back his licence to practise as a priest with the Anglican church, after he started a relationship with a married woman.

At the time, he said it was to "to be loyal to the church and maintain the church's integrity".

On Monday, he said it was a pity that his private life was "traipsed out in the media", and he was now re-licenced to do as he wished in the church.

His private life did not affect his ability to be a moral authority, Brown said.

"I don't think I've ever taken my eye off the main game: wherever we come from, whatever experience we've had, violence against children, violence against women, stands [as a problem]."

Brown knew Mathieson, who he described as a "genuinely good man".

Another new member was Jeff Sissons, a Wellington-based legal advisor for the Council of Trade Unions.

Sissons would not comment on the Into the River controversy, saying it had been resolved "fairly satisfactorily now".

He said the board offered a rare position where he could apply his degrees in English literature, psychology, and law, with a minor in film and theatre.

The role was about balancing different human rights, he said, such as freedom of expression with the right to not be discriminated against, "and what are the reasonable limits you can place on those rights in an open and democratic society?"

 - Stuff