Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The government has asked Sport New Zealand to review and update its guidelines for the inclusion of transgender people in community sport.
It comes after more than 50 local Olympians and sports representatives signed an open letter, saying the current advice disrespected the principles of fairness and safety.
Gender Minorities Aotearoa believed the current guidelines for community sports did not need a review, and said Save Women's Sport Australasia was an anti-trans group.
Sports Minister Chris Bishop on Thursday said he's met with a range of individuals and groups, and sought advice from Sport New Zealand, over the course of this year.
He has now told the sporting body to review and update its Guiding Principles for the Inclusion of Transgender People in Community Sport.
"I have come to the view that the Guiding Principles do not reflect legitimate community expectations that sport at a community level should not just be focused on diversity, inclusion and equity - but also prioritise fairness and safety."
National promised to "ensure publicly funded sporting bodies support fair competition that is not compromised by rules relating to gender" in its coalition agreement with New Zealand First.
Bishop said the guiding principles, published in 2022, were a helpful guide for sporting bodies grappling with "a tricky issue" and were intended to be voluntary, not mandatory.
"It is important that transgender people feel able to participate in community sport - but there are obviously difficult issues for sporting bodies to grapple with around fairness and safety as a result of that participation.
The minister has now written to Sport New Zealand's chief executive Raelene Castle to ask her to review and update the guidelines.
He expects to receive an update on progress in the coming months.
