95bFM Auckland Pride challenges government’s removal of transgender community sporting guidelines
26 November, 2025
Interview by Joel Armstrong, adapted by Gabrielle Magdalene
Auckland Pride’s Bhenjamin Goodsir says Sports and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell’s removal of transgender guidelines for community sports “sends a signal that the government isn't going to be looking out for trans communities,” prompting a High Court challenge from the organisation.
The organisation Auckland Pride has launched a High Court challenge, following Sports and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell advising Sports NZ to remove the Guiding Principles for Inclusion of Transgender People in Community Sport, with the aim of mandating an appropriate, fact-based re-evaluation.
Auckland Pride’s filed judicial review has also seen the support of other LGBTQIA+ organisations, including RainbowYOUTH, InsideOUT Kōaro, Qtopia, Te Ngākau Kahukura, and Mana Āniwaniwa.
The guidelines, which were removed in July this year, were established in 2022 to provide community sport organisations with the clarity to develop policies in the best interests of transgender participants.
However, these guidelines were scrapped as the government did not believe the framework aligned with coalition agreements between the National Party and NZ First.
Co-Director of Auckland Pride, Bhenjamin Goodsir, told 95bFM’s The Wire that the removal of these guidelines goes against legislation protecting transgender individuals.
“[Sports and Recreation Minister, Mark Mitchell] has an obligation to make decisions that are consistent with the Human Rights Act, with the Bill of Rights Act, and with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”
Goodsir adds that Mitchell did not consider the Human Rights Act, the Bill of Rights Act, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in deciding to remove these guidelines.
“… as a part of preparing for this case, we asked the minister point blank, ‘Did you consider any of these pieces of legislation or fundamental principles in our legal framework?’ And he told us ‘no’, that there was no consideration, no advice, and that's just not acceptable for a ministerial decision.”
He says the removal of the standards sends a concerning message.
"Ultimately, it sends a signal that the government isn't going to be looking out for trans communities."
Goodsir says that although sports organisations and queer communities were engaged with during the development of the original framework, the same considerations were not shown when the guidelines were repealed.
He adds that despite the government initiating a review into the guidelines in 2025, the review and recommendations were both halted before reaching community consultation.
He emphasises that the primary responsibility of the entity, Sports New Zealand, is to ensure that every New Zealander has access to sports and similar recreational activities.
Goodsir urges supporters to open a letter through RainbowYOUTH’s website.
