How Is “Woman” Defined in New Zealand Law?

Discover how New Zealand law defines "woman," combining biological and gender identity considerations amid evolving legal interpretations and protections.
Discover how New Zealand law defines "woman," combining biological and gender identity considerations amid evolving legal interpretations and protections.
New Zealand First proposes a bill defining "woman" solely as a biological female, sparking debate over gender identity, women's rights, and legal recognition of males who identify as female.
An analysis of New Zealand’s sexual offense charges from 2015–2024 reveals significant patterns in offender gender and ethnicity, highlighting persistent gender disparities and crime profiles.
In a September 2021 Facebook post, Jacinda Ardern encouraged New Zealanders to share their COVID-19 vaccine side effect experiences, aiming to normalize mild reactions. Instead, the post received over 32,000 comments, many of which described severe or long-lasting health issues, and even alleged deaths following vaccination.
Currently, New Zealand does not publish comprehensive official statistics specifically detailing offending rates among transgender individuals. However, some information has been obtained through Official Information Act (OIA) requests and community-led research.
New Zealand's violent offences in 2024 are predominantly committed by males, accounting for over 85% of convictions, with significant ethnic disparities highlighted.