Chief Censor David Shanks has labelled the live-stream video of the Christchurch terror attack as 'objectionable', meaning it is illegal to distribute.

Under its new classification, people found to be distributing the video could face up to 14 years in prison, or a $10,000 fine.

Shanks appeared on The AM Show this morning to discuss the video.

"I have classified this video as objectionable which makes it illegal to share and distribute and to possess."

He said it is hard to police social media platforms, but now sharing the video can have consequences, which he hopes will stop its spread.

"The argument that social media platforms have around this is that they operate like a phone company, that they're not responsible for what is put on their platforms and delivered through their platforms.