A bill that would legally define the words “woman” and “man” across New Zealand legislation is now before Parliament, with the public given until 2 July 2026 to make a submission.
The Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill, introduced by New Zealand First MP Jenny Marcroft, passed its first reading on 20 May 2026 and has been referred to the Social Services and Community Select Committee.
According to Parliament’s bill page, the proposal would define “woman” as “an adult human biological female” and “man” as “an adult human biological male”.
While the bill itself is brief, its potential impact could be wide-ranging. It would amend the Legislation Act 2019, which helps guide how New Zealand laws are drafted and interpreted.
In practical terms, this means the proposed definitions could be used by courts, government agencies and decision-makers when interpreting other legislation that refers to “woman”, “man”, “female” or “male”.
The bill would not directly change how people describe their own gender or identity in everyday life. However, Rainbow advocates and opposition MPs have warned that embedding sex-based definitions in New Zealand law could have significant consequences for transgender, non-binary, intersex and takatāpui people.
Those concerns are particularly relevant where laws and policies involve single-sex services, public spaces, sport, health, education, data collection or discrimination protections.
At its first reading, the bill passed by 67 votes to 55. National, ACT and New Zealand First voted in favour, while Labour, the Greens, Te Pāti Māori and independent MPs opposed it.
Introducing the bill, Marcroft said it was about “clarity” and “common sense”, arguing that the meaning of womanhood was “under attack”. NZ First has framed the proposal as a response to what it views as confusion in law and public institutions.
ACT leader David Seymour has also defended support for the bill at first reading, saying people should be free to state that there are two biological sexes.
However, not all MPs who voted for the bill to proceed did so without concern. National MP and Minister for Women Nicola Grigg told Parliament she had “real and substantive concerns” and said she was not convinced the bill would advance the rights, opportunities or wellbeing of women and girls.
Opposition MPs were more direct in their criticism.
Labour’s Camilla Belich described the bill as an attack on the trans community, saying its practical effect would be to exclude some people from the legal definitions they use for themselves.
Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara warned the bill risked causing serious social harm to trans and takatāpui communities, while Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick described the debate as divisive and disconnected from the issues most New Zealanders are facing.
The proposal has also raised legal concerns. Attorney-General Chris Bishop reported to the House that the wording could create issues under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, particularly because the proposed definitions refer to “adult” men and women, potentially creating discrimination on the basis of age.
The bill now moves through the select committee process. Select committees gather information, hear from experts and members of the public, and then report back to the House with any recommended changes.
Parliament lists the committee report as due by 19 November 2026.
Members of the public can make written submissions through the Parliament website. Submissions are public and may be published online, although contact details provided through Parliament’s submission system are not made public.
Parliament advises submitters to keep submissions clear, accurate and relevant. Submissions containing offensive language may be rejected.
People can also ask to speak to the committee in person or by video link if oral hearings are held.
A submission does not need to be long or written in legal language. Short, personal and focused submissions can often be more effective than lengthy template responses.
Once the select committee reports back, the bill will return to the House for its second reading. If it fails at that stage, it will not proceed. If it passes, it will move to the committee of the whole House, where MPs can debate the details and propose amendments, before a third and final reading.
There has not yet been confirmation over whether future votes on the bill will be treated as conscience votes. Many major social and human rights issues in Aotearoa, including homosexual law reform, marriage equality, end-of-life choice and abortion law reform, have involved conscience votes, allowing MPs to vote individually rather than strictly along party lines.
For now, the most immediate step is public feedback.
With submissions open until 2 July 2026, New Zealanders have a limited window to tell Parliament whether they believe the bill should proceed, be amended or be rejected.
