This is a story from One Network Wellington Live, your local voice in Wellington, New Zealand. Today, we’re talking about something big in our city: what people think about transgender athletes in sports. It’s a topic that’s got folks chatting at the pub, on the bus, and even at the rugby grounds. We’re looking at males versus females—how gender identities are clashing—and asking: how would you feel if a transgender male was competing against your daughter? Let’s dive in.
Wellington is a lively place. It’s got about 215,000 people, and we’re known for being open-minded. Our city loves its coffee, its wind, and its sports—rugby, cricket, netball, you name it. But lately, sport’s been at the centre of a big debate. Transgender athletes—people whose gender doesn’t match the sex they were born with—are joining teams, and not everyone’s happy about it. We wanted to know what Wellington folks think, so we went out and asked.
Tom’s Perspective
First, we met Tom, a 42-year-old dad who works at a garage near the waterfront. Tom’s got a daughter, Lily, who’s 14 and plays netball. “I don’t mind people being who they are,” he said, sipping his flat white. “Live and let live, right? But when it comes to sport, I worry. Lily’s fast, but if a transgender boy—born a girl but now a boy—plays against her, is it fair? Boys are stronger, aren’t they? Even if they’ve changed.” Tom’s not alone. A 2022 poll found 58% of New Zealanders think transgender women—born male—shouldn’t play in women’s sports. Wellington’s a bit more liberal, but Tom’s view is common.
Aroha’s View
Next, we talked to Aroha, a 29-year-old teacher from Kelburn. She’s got a different take. “Sport’s about playing together,” she said, walking her dog near the botanical gardens. “If someone says they’re a boy, let them play with the boys. If they’re a girl, let them play with the girls. It’s not about what they were born as—it’s about who they are now.” Aroha’s view matches some younger folks. In a 2012 study of Kiwi teens, 1.2% said they were transgender, and 2.5% weren’t sure about their gender. Wellington’s got a big youth crowd, and many of them agree with Aroha—inclusion matters more than old rules.
Sarah’s Concern
But then there’s Sarah, a 50-year-old mum who runs a café in Miramar. Her daughter, Emma, is 16 and swims for her school. Sarah’s worried. “I read that boys have 30% more muscle than girls, even after they change,” she said, wiping down a table. “Emma’s been training for years. If a transgender boy—born a girl but now a boy—joins her race and wins because of that strength, how’s that fair?” Sarah’s not against transgender people. She just wants sport to stay equal. And she’s got a point—science says male bodies, even after hormone treatment, can keep some advantages like bigger bones or more power.
Public Opinion in Wellington
So, what’s the Wellington public saying? It’s a mix. Some want fairness based on biology—what you’re born as. Others want fairness based on identity—who you say you are. To get a clearer picture, imagine this: your daughter’s in a rugby match. She’s 15, tough as nails, and she’s up against a transgender boy named Riley. Riley was born a girl but identifies as a boy. He’s been on testosterone—a hormone that makes you stronger—for a year. He’s fast, he’s strong, and he tackles hard. How would you feel?
James’ Experience
Let’s meet James, a Wellington dad who’s been in that exact spot. James lives in Hataitai, and his daughter, Mia, plays rugby. Last season, Mia’s team faced a transgender boy, Sam. “I didn’t know what to think at first,” James told us over a beer at the local. “Sam was good—really good. He scored two tries, and Mia couldn’t stop him. She came off the pitch knackered and a bit down.” James paused, then said, “I don’t want Sam banned. He’s a kid, just like Mia. But I did wonder—did he win because he’s got a body that’s different?”
James isn’t sure what the answer is. He looked up some facts after the game. In New Zealand, about 0.5% of people identify as transgender, according to a 2018 estimate. That’s small, but in a city like Wellington, it’s still hundreds of people. And sports matter here. Rugby’s huge—over 20,000 kids play it across the country. If even a few transgender boys join girls’ teams, parents like James start asking questions.
Coach Mike’s Perspective
Down at the Wellington Rugby Club, we met Coach Mike. He’s been training kids for 20 years. “It’s tricky,” he said, watching his team warm up. “We’ve had one transgender boy try out. He was born a girl, but he’s a boy now—taking hormones and all. He’s stronger than most of the girls, no doubt. I let him play, but some parents weren’t chuffed.” Mike reckons there should be rules—maybe testing strength or splitting teams differently. “Sport’s about fun, but it’s also about winning fair,” he added.
Government and Policy
The government’s been in on this too. In 2023, New Zealand First, part of the ruling coalition, pushed to ban transgender women—born male—from women’s community sports. They said it’s about “fairness and safety.” Andy Foster, a big name in the party and ex-Wellington mayor, told the press, “If a teenage girl’s up against a former teenage boy, your child could get hurt.” That policy got people talking. Some Wellingtonians cheered—others booed. Transgender people are less than 0.5% of the population, but the debate’s loud.
Imagining the Scenario
Back to Riley, the transgender boy in our story. Imagine you’re at that rugby match, in the stands with a cuppa. Your daughter’s out there, giving it her all. Riley’s on the other team, and he’s a powerhouse. He breaks through, scores, and your daughter’s left in the mud. You’re proud of her effort, but you wonder: did Riley’s old body—before he changed—give him the edge? Would you be okay with that?
Lisa’s Dilemma
We asked Lisa, a mum from Karori, how she’d feel. Her daughter, Sophie, plays football. “I’d be gutted,” Lisa said, folding laundry at home. “Sophie’s worked hard—camps, early mornings, the lot. If a transgender boy beat her because he’s naturally stronger, I’d feel cheated for her. But I’d also feel bad for the boy. He just wants to play.” Lisa’s torn, and that’s the heart of it in Wellington. People care about fairness, but they care about people too.
Community Debate
Out in the community, opinions keep clashing. At a school meeting in Newtown, parents argued for an hour. One dad said, “Sport’s split by sex for a reason—biology’s real.” A mum shot back, “It’s 2025—let kids be who they are!” No one won the fight, but it showed how split Wellington is. A 2022 poll across New Zealand found 58% of people didn’t want transgender women in women’s college sports. Wellington might lean softer, but the divide’s still there.
Looking for Solutions
So, what’s the fix? Some say make a new category—transgender teams. But with so few transgender athletes, that’s tough. Others say test hormone levels—keep it scientific. In Wellington, Sport New Zealand’s got guidelines pushing inclusion, saying safety matters but so does letting everyone play. Raelene Castle, the big boss there, told us, “We want policies that work for each sport—rugby’s different from swimming.”
Conclusion
Back at the rugby match, the whistle blows. Your daughter’s team loses, and Riley’s the star. She’s fine—no injuries—but she’s quiet on the way home. You ask how she feels. “He’s good, Dad,” she says. “I just wish I could’ve stopped him.” You nod, unsure what to say. You’re proud, but that question lingers: was it fair?
Wellington’s public doesn’t have one answer. Tom wants biology to rule. Aroha wants hearts to decide. Sarah wants her daughter’s work to count. James, Lisa, and Coach Mike—they’re all stuck in the middle. Stats say transgender folks are rare—less than 1%—but their place in sport’s a big deal. As gender identities clash, Wellington keeps talking. How would you feel if it was your daughter out there? It’s a question with no easy end.
Note: This story is brought to you by One Network Wellington Live. Stats come from New Zealand surveys and studies, like the 2022 public opinion poll and 2012 youth data. We don’t take sides—just share what’s out there. Tell us your thoughts!
