Submission Guide
Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill
Submissions are now open on the Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill, which passed its first reading in the New Zealand Parliament on Wednesday May 20th 2026.
Submissions close on 2 July 2026.
Speak Up for Women supports the intent behind this bill. New Zealand law urgently needs clear, biologically grounded definitions that recognise the reality and importance of sex.
However, we do not believe it is sufficient to simply define the words “man” and “woman”, the law should clearly define sex itself.
In particular, the law should make clear that sex is:
• immutable
• biological
• based on reproductive function (gametes)
• independent of gender identity
• unaffected by amended birth certificates or self-identification processes
Important: Use Your Own Words
You can copy and paste our ideas but try to use your own words too.
Parliamentary committees generally give more weight to submissions written in the submitter’s own voice. Use the points below as a guide and adapt them however you wish.
Short submissions are absolutely fine.
Even a few paragraphs can make a difference.
Suggested Submission Structure
1. Introduce Yourself
A few lines is enough.
Examples:
• I am a New Zealand woman concerned about preserving clear sex-based rights and protections.
• I support clear biological definitions in law.
• I work in education / health / sport / local government and see the importance of accurate sex definitions.
• I am concerned about the erosion of single-sex spaces and protections.
2. State Your Position
Example wording:
“I support the intent of this bill because New Zealand law needs clear biological definitions.”
You may also wish to say:
“However, I do not believe it is enough to define only the terms ‘man’ and ‘woman’. The law should clearly define sex itself.”
Or:
“The bill should be amended so that sex is explicitly defined in biological terms, rather than relying solely on definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’.”
3. Key Points You May Wish To Include
Sex Must Be Biological and Immutable
Suggested wording:
“Sex is an objective biological reality and is immutable. Human beings cannot change sex.”
Sex Should Be Defined By Reproductive Function (Gametes)
Suggested wording:
“The law should clearly define sex based on reproductive biology and gametes.
Females are the sex organised around producing large gametes (ova).
Males are the sex organised around producing small gametes (sperm).”
You do not need to use scientific wording if you do not want to.
Gender Identity Should Not Override Sex
Suggested wording:
“A self-declared gender identity should not change a person’s legal sex.”
Or:
“Legal definitions of sex must remain grounded in biology rather than subjective identity claims.”
Birth Certificate Changes Should Not Alter Sex
Suggested wording:
“Administrative changes to birth certificates should not alter a person’s sex in law.”
Clear Definitions Protect Rights
Suggested wording:
“Clear sex-based definitions are necessary to protect privacy, dignity, fairness, safeguarding, accurate data collection, and single-sex services and spaces.”
You may wish to mention:
• women’s sport
• prisons
• hospital wards
• changing rooms
• toilets
• domestic violence refuges
• lesbian rights
• data collection
• healthcare
"The legislation where Sex is relevant includes the Human Rights Act 1993 and the Search and Surveillance Act 2012, if Sex does not have an ordinary biological meaning this legislation is rendered incoherent."
Suggested Improvements To The Bill
You may wish to ask the committee to amend the bill so it explicitly states:
• sex is immutable
• sex is biological
• sex is based on reproductive function/gametes
• sex cannot be changed by gender identity
• sex cannot be changed by amended birth certificates or self-identification processes
• the law defines sex directly, not merely the terms “man” and “woman”.
Example Closing Statement
“I support the intent of this bill, but I urge the committee to strengthen it by explicitly defining sex as biological and immutable.”
Or:
“Defining ‘man’ and ‘woman’ alone is not enough. The law must clearly define sex itself.”
4. Final Tips
• Keep it respectful and concise.
• Personal experiences are powerful.
• Use your own voice.
• Even a short submission helps show public support.
• You can request to speak to your submission if you wish.
• Encourage friends and family to submit before 2 July 2026.
5. Make A Submission
You can make a submission directly here: