In this episode Family Matters, Simon speaks with New Zealand First MP, Jenny Marcroft, about her Member’s Bill to define what a woman and man are. Titled the Legislation (Definition of a Woman and a Man) Amendment Bill, it was created to return common sense and legal clarity.
Jenny explains that the move to draft the legislation was prompted in 2023 by Family First’s petition and also discussions that New Zealand First had with voters during the election campaign. Jenny explains how “policy drift” has eroded women’s sex-protected rights, citing community concerns about school bathrooms and changing facilities, women competing against biological males in sport, and biological males being housed in female prisons. She strongly argues that biological sex has material consequences in medicine, safeguarding, privacy, dignity, and law. She traces confusion partly to a 2006 Crown Law opinion that suggested transgender people may be protected from discrimination under sex. This opinion is not binding, but has been used and reused to conflate sex and gender identity.
Simon and Jenny quickly discuss how the Bill itself was drawn and how the committee process is the usual places that Member’s Bill are crafted more fully – “panel beaten” into shape as Jenny phrases it.
Finally, Jenny and Simon both encourage viewers to make a submission to the committee in Parliament, as well as sharing your views with your local Member of Parliament. You have till Thursday 2 July to make a submission. If you need some guidance, you can check out Family First’s website for details and suggestions: https://familyfirst.org.nz/2026/06/11/speak-up-to-protect-biology-and-women/ You can begin your online submission by going to this page on the Parliament website: https://www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission #familymatters #familyfirstnz
