New Zealand government's minority party introduces bill to define gender as biological

New Zealand First bill aims to define gender by biology, sparking debate on transgender rights and identity politics.

Minority coalition partner New Zealand First introduced a bill to parliament on Tuesday (April 22, 2025) that if enacted would define women and men by their biology, preventing trans women and men being recognised by law.

The populist New Zealand First member's bill is a longshot to become law as it has to be selected at random from a ballot and then garner majority support in parliament.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said in a statement that laws should reflect biological reality and provide legal certainty.

"The need for legislation like this shows how far the deluded left has taken us as a society. But we are fighting back," said Peters, who is also New Zealand's deputy prime minister.

New Zealand opposition leader Chris Hipkins told Stuff news that the gender bill was “typical populist politics” and that at a time when New Zealanders are struggling with the cost of living, job losses and a health system in crisis, this was not a priority.

The legislation the bill intends to amend sets out how terms and words commonly used in other legislation should be interpreted, such as "de facto partner".

The proposed law follows a ruling by Britain's highest court last Wednesday that only biological and not trans women meet the definition of a woman under equality laws. It was a landmark decision greeted with concern by trans supporters but welcomed by the government as bringing clarity.