New Zealand First Proposes Bill Defining Gender By Biological Sex

New Zealand First, a minority party in the coalition government, has introduced a bill to legally define men and women strictly by biological sex, following a recent UK Supreme Court ruling favoring a similar approach. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters claims the bill would restore 'legal certainty,' protect women, and counter what he describes as 'woke ideology' and 'social engineering' by the left. However, the bill faces significant obstacles, as it must be randomly selected from a legislative ballot and win majority support—a challenging prospect given New Zealand First's minor role in parliament. Critics, including opposition leader Chris Hipkins, have condemned the proposal as political grandstanding and argued that it distracts from more pressing national issues like the cost of living and healthcare. The legislation would prevent legal recognition of transgender individuals’ gender identity, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates. The debate reflects broader international tensions over gender identity laws, with supporters arguing for women's rights and clarity, while opponents warn of marginalization and discrimination against transgender people.