New Zealand First is advocating for a legal definition of “woman” as “an adult human biological female” in response to what it calls “cancerous social engineering” and “woke ideology”.
However, NZ First has quietly withdrawn proposed legislation that would have fined individuals for using public bathrooms not designated for their biological sex, as well as a bill aimed at eliminating diversity targets in the public sector.
In a statement released today, NZ First leader Winston Peters introduced a member’s bill to “protect sex-based rights and the importance of sex-based protections” by clarifying the legal meanings of “man” and “woman”.
This move follows a recent ruling by Britain’s highest court affirming that only biological women, and not transgender women, meet the legal definition of a woman under equality laws.
Speaking to RNZ, Peters emphasized that the legislation is not intended to be against any group but rather to focus on biological facts.
“Our aim is to address issues such as unfair competition in sports and ensuring the privacy of women and girls in changing rooms,” Peters stated.
When NZ First first announced this policy in the lead-up to the 2023 election, National leader Christopher Luxon dismissed it as irrelevant to New Zealanders, stating, “You are on another planet if you want to have a conversation about bathrooms and make that an election issue.”
Peters highlighted that the legislation aims to prevent the country from adopting misguided descriptions and interpretations and ensure a fair approach for women.
The bill proposes that “woman” should be defined as “an adult human biological female” and “man” as “an adult human biological male” in all legislation.
The legislation, presented by MP Jenny Marcroft, will be debated and voted on if selected from Parliament’s ballot.
The party has also withdrawn its “Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill,” which sought to impose fines on individuals using public bathrooms not corresponding to their biological sex.
When asked about the withdrawal of this bill, Peters explained that the new “Definitions of Woman and Man Bill” offers a more comprehensive approach to addressing the issue.
Additionally, MP Jamie Arbucke’s bill to eliminate “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) targets in the public sector has been replaced with a proposal requiring public referendums for all “conscience issues” in Parliament.
Peters indicated that the party has made its stance known on these matters and is now shifting its focus.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins suggested that Peters is pursuing populist causes to maintain NZ First’s electoral prospects and lacks a coherent plan for leading New Zealand forward.
Last week, RNZ reported that NZ First MP and associate Health Minister Casey Costello instructed Health New Zealand to use the term “women” instead of “pregnant people” in its communications.
