Overview

• New Zealand First, led by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, has introduced a member’s bill to define 'man' and 'woman' solely by biological sex.
• The proposed law would amend the Interpretation Act to define a woman as an 'adult human biological female' and a man as an 'adult human biological male.'
• If enacted, the bill would prevent legal recognition of transgender individuals, sparking debate over its societal implications.
• Opposition leader Chris Hipkins criticized the bill as populist politics, arguing it distracts from pressing economic and social issues.
• The bill, lodged as a member’s bill, must be selected through a parliamentary ballot and gain majority support, making its passage unlikely.