New Zealand plans biological definition of gender, following UK ruling

Recent weeks have seen significant legal and political developments surrounding the definition of 'woman' and the rights of transgender individuals in both the UK and New Zealand. The UK Supreme Court ruled that, under the Equality Act 2010, 'woman' refers exclusively to those assigned female at birth, excluding trans women with Gender Recognition Certificates, a decision sparking debate but clarifying statutory interpretation without delegitimizing trans identities. Shortly after, New Zealand's deputy prime minister Winston Peters introduced a bill to define 'woman' and 'man' strictly by biological criteria, citing a need to counter what he describes as 'woke ideology.' Supporters argue such measures restore legal clarity and protect women's rights, while critics contend they are divisive and distract from more pressing national issues, such as healthcare and cost of living crises. These moves reflect a broader international debate on gender identity and the legal recognition of transgender people, sparked in part by the UK's recent court ruling. As both nations grapple with these questions, the conversation remains highly polarized, with advocates and opponents framing the issue in terms of rights, safety, and societal values.