New Zealand First wants to fine people who use public bathrooms and are not of the designated sex.
The Party announced today its 'Fair Access to Bathrooms' Member's Bill that would require new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings to provide "separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single-sex bathrooms".
"We have seen a similar move in the United Kingdom this month, with building regulations due to change later this year, making it compulsory to provide separate facilities for men and women for all new restaurants, bars, offices and shopping centres," NZ First leader Winston Peters said.
"New Zealand First campaigned to defend the right to privacy, personal safety, and freedom from harm for all New Zealanders, and this Bill demonstrates a much-needed commonsense solution to an issue that has often been overshadowed by ideology."
If passed, the Bill will introduce a fine under the Summary Offences Act for "anyone who uses a single-sex toilet and is not of the sex for which that toilet has been designated".
Labour leader Chris Hipkins called the Bill "absolutely ridiculous".
"The country has bigger issues to worry about than Winston Peter's homophobia or transphobia," he told reporters.
"How on earth are they going to police that, how on earth are they going to enforce it?"
Green Party spokesperson for rainbow communities Kahurangi Carter accused the Deputy Prime Minister of "undermining the mana of rainbow people, who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity".
"This Bill is a blatant attack on our transgender whanau. Time and time again, New Zealand First has shown that it is more than happy to spread fear and stoke division for political gain," Carter said.
"Christopher Luxon will have to reflect on whether he is fit to continue showing up at Pride events if he chooses to remain affiliated to a party actively undermining rainbow peoples."
Last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said there was no need for laws specifying which toilets people could use.
A spokesperson for Te Pāti Māori said they would not support the Bill.
