The Legislation (Definitions of Man and Woman) Amendment Bill would amend the Legislation Act 2019 by adding a definition of “woman” as “an adult human biological female” and of “man” as “an adult human biological male.” These definitions would apply in all legal contexts where the terms “woman” and “man” are used, unless explicitly stated otherwise in specific legislation.
This rigid and binary definition of gender ignores scientific evidence and would erase trans, non-binary, intersex, and takatāpui people from legislation. It would affect how trans, non-binary, takatāpui, and intersex people are recognised in the eyes of the law, potentially restricting access to healthcare, identification documents, shelters and other basic protections and services.
If passed, this bill would undermine protections under the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the Human Rights Act 1993 which protects people in Aotearoa, including transgender, non-binary and intersex people, from unlawful discrimination.
The Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025 showed that 1.4% of respondents identified as gender diverse and 0.2% as intersex. These are rangatahi whose identities and lived realities would be excluded from legal recognition under this bill.
The survey also highlighted the disproportionate wellbeing impacts experienced by rainbow rangatahi, with 39.7% of rainbow rangatahi having seriously thought about suicide in the past 12 months compared to 19% of the overall population.
Instead of supporting our trans, non-binary and intersex whānau to be safe, healthy and thriving, our government has once again placed the burden on our communities to advocate for their basic human rights.
In our mahi we have heard how scared rangatahi are about what this bill could mean and the discrimination and hostility it may legitimise. One non-binary student, Cassius, told our kaimahi,
“I hate that I have to defend my rights from the government. And im so scared that it’s going to pass and that I’m going to be forced to hide… There is nothing like the fear of your identity becoming illegal. It feels like we have stepped into a dystopian novel.”
Our friends at Q-topia have published a step by step guide here on how to write a submission. Remember: you do not have to write an essay. You can simply state your opposition to the bill and briefly explain why it matters to you.
You can make your submission here.
The closing date for submissions is 11.59pm on Thursday, 2 July 2026.