Sport New Zealand has released new guidelines for the inclusion of transgender athletes in grassroots sport, allowing athletes to compete as the gender they identify with.
But individual sports are still free to form or update their own transgender participation policy.
While the SNZ principles are not a blanket set of rules, athletes will not have to prove their gender or sex.
The new principles are split into six categories, centred on inclusion, while focussing on wellbeing and safety of participants, privacy and dignity, anti-bullying, discrimination and harrassment, listening and responding to concerns, and education.
Consultation on the guidelines began in November 2020, with 41 former Olympians penning a letter to both Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister of Sport Grant Robertson demanding wider communication in June 2021.
"This document provides guiding principles rather than rules or criteria, because it is not possible to provide a 'one-size-fits-all' approach across every code," said Sport NZ chief executive Raelene Castle.
"Different codes will require or want to take different approaches. Whatever approach is taken, it should reflect the guiding principles, because they are the baseline for supporting inclusion of transgender people in community sport.
"We do not expect every sports organisation at the community level to produce a specific policy on the inclusion of transgender people.
"Some national sports organisations have indicated they will take the lead around drafting policies and other material to support their regional partners, and those at the club and school level with the approach to transgender people.
"We look forward to taking an active role in working with sports organisations, as they progress this work. Because this represents a new way of working, we recognise it will be a learning process for everyone involved."
The guiding principles also include practical suggestions, which include organisations and clubs providing purpose-built facilities, such as bathrooms and changing areas, to ensure privacy, as well as gender-neutral uniforms and equipment.
