Identity and culture

Gender identity refers to a person’s sense of their gender. It can be the same as, or different to their sex recorded at birth. A person’s gender identity is not determined by their body parts, what they wear, or how they behave.

Your gender identity is only yours to define. It’s about how you feel and nobody else has the legal right to impose their views on you.

Some gender identity terms include:

• Genderqueer: a person who rejects the gender binary of man/woman
• Gender fluid: someone who doesn’t have a fixed gender identity
• Cisgender: someone whose gender identity matches their gender assigned at birth
• Transgender: a person whose gender identity is different from their sex recorded at birth.
• Takatāpui: a Māori term used to embrace diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics.

A person’s sexual orientation refers to who they are attracted to. It can be physical, romantic, emotional, or sexual. This is not something a person chooses but is a part of who they are. Forcibly changing this can be damaging to a person. A person’s sexual orientation is also not determined by their gender identity.

Some labels you may have come across include heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual and pansexual.

It’s important to recognise that both gender and sexuality are fluid, and everyone has the right to understand their identity at their own pace. Don’t judge someone for when they choose to come out: there is no correct way to do this.

If someone tells you about their gender identity or informs you of changes, treat them with kindness. They’ve taken a courageous step. Make sure you’re using their pronouns correctly and apologise if you don’t get it right. You’re on this journey together.

While progress has been made in Aotearoa, our rainbow communities still experience disproportionate levels of exclusion, stigma, and mental distress. It’s important to recognize that prejudice is still very real for a lot of people, and many still feel the emotional effects from struggling with this in their past.

If you or someone you know are in need of help, there are support services available:

• InsideOut works with schools, workplaces and the community to ensure safety for our rainbow communities.
• I’m Local provides free resources as well as a map of support groups for queer and gender diverse people in Aotearoa.
• OutLine provides free peer support services and has been operating for nearly four decades
• Gender Minorities Aotearoa, which is run by and for transgender people, offers links to various types of support across the country.
• Takatāpui.nz provides resources for takatāpui and their whānau.
• Be There is an information hub by the Youth Sector Rainbow Collective.
• Rainbow Youth provides support, information, and advocacy for queer, gender diverse, takatāpui and intersex youth.

Our diverse population is especially visible in our major cities. As of the 2018 census, over a quarter of our population is born overseas, but call Aotearoa their home.

Aotearoa is still early in its journey towards progress in ethnic equality, and we all can be a part of it. You can do this in ways you’re comfortable with: by learning, supporting a business, contributing directly to policies where you can, or volunteering. The Ministry of Ethnic Communities has information and resources for ethnic communities across Aotearoa, and organisations such as the Red Cross have specific programmes available for volunteers who can help refugees.

Read more about the history of ethnic inequality on Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.

We have seen the damage of racism even in recent years, and we all have a role to play in addressing racism even if the discussions can feel uncomfortable.

If you’re able to do so safely, challenge it. Say something or make a formal complaint. Contact the Police if someone’s in danger. Sometimes just giving visible support to a victim can show what behaviour is unacceptable. The following pages provide advice on what you can do:

• The Human Rights Commission’s resources on responding to racism
• AllySkills NZ on taking action against racism every day
• The National Action Plan Against Racism
• Community Law’s guide to discrimination and the law

Many schools and workplaces have also formal policies against discrimination. Some other helpful resources and services include:

• The Human Rights Commission provides information on your legal rights as a person in Aotearoa.
• Belong Aotearoa, an Auckland-based nonprofit social change hub addressing systematic barriers for people new to the country.
• Inclusive Aotearoa works towards social inclusivity, provides resources, and connects people with organisations who want to contribute to change.
• Treaty of Waitangi resources can be found on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds website
• Youth Law provides free legal help and advice for young people across Aotearoa.
• Community Law runs Community Law Centres across the country and provides free legal help and advice.