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Summarised by Centrist
National has supported an NZ First Bill defining women and men in biological terms through its first reading, despite the Minister for Women saying she is not convinced it would improve the rights or wellbeing of women and girls.
The Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill would define a woman as an adult human biological female and a man as an adult human biological male.
The Bill, sponsored by NZ First MP Jenny Marcroft, passed its first reading last month with support from National and ACT. Public submissions remain open until July 2.
National’s Minister for Women, Nicola Grigg, said the party supported the Bill so the public could express
its views through the select committee process.
However, during the first-reading debate, Grigg said she was “not convinced that this Bill would advance the rights and opportunities or the wellbeing of women and girls in any way, shape or form in New Zealand”.
The Bill has prompted demonstrations in five cities, with organisers claiming about 10,000 people took part.
Rainbow groups involved in the protests said writing biological definitions into law would erase transgender and intersex people and overturn the direction established through gender self-identification laws.
A billboard outside Auckland’s St Matthew-in-the-City church also urged opposition to the Bill, saying the government should not concern itself with people’s anatomy.
NZ First leader Winston Peters said the legislation was intended to protect the “rights, freedoms and safety” of women and girls.
Responding to the demonstrations, he described protesters as “egotistical mouth-breathers”.
The Bill’s passage beyond select committee will depend on whether National and ACT continue supporting it after hearing submissions and considering its legal effects.
