PRISM: Human Rights issues relating to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) in Aotearoa New Zealand - A report with recommendations again in 2019.132 The 2019 sample, in contrast to previous survey waves, was not nationally representative; covering only the greater Waikato, Auckland, and Northland regions.133 At the time of writing, Youth’19 data have not yet been published, and the survey data from 2012 (Youth’12) remain the only and best data set that exists to estimate the size of the trans population in New Zealand. In Youth’12, 1.2% of students identified as transgender and a further 2.5% were not sure of their gender.134 The trans-led Counting Ourselves survey collected data from 1178 trans and non-binary people over the age of 14 living in New Zealand.135 The survey collected data concerning mental and physical health, experiences of discrimination, experiences in healthcare settings, and levels of support from communities and whānau. Questions also covered legal gender recognition, experiences at school and work, and experiences of violence. Another independent research project producing a crucial data set is Honour Project Aotearoa.136 This survey on the health and wellbeing of takatāpui people will assist in filling knowledge gaps about this population. At the time of writing, the survey results were being analysed and due to be published in a forthcoming report. Sex characteristics measurement efforts Diversity in sex characteristics has never been measured in New Zealand. During the most recent national Census in March 2018, intersex people were suggested to request a paper survey form and mark both male and female when responding to the binary sex question.137 An international estimate of 1.7% of live births is frequently cited,138 corresponding to more than 900 babies born in New Zealand each year.139 Stats NZ’s statistical standard for sex was introduced in 1995 and has two classifications: male and female.140 In limited circumstances, a third sex classification of ‘indeterminate’ may be required for individuals whose sex cannot be determined as male or female. The introduction of a third ‘sex’ option for people with variations of sex characteristics is against good practice internationally and regionally when collecting sex data.141 There is no one intersex sex; it is an umbrella term to describe over 40 distinct sex characteristics variations.142 Having a third classification for people with variations of sex characteristics can create an assumption that all intersex people belong in that category and not male or female, when most intersex people identify as male or female;143 and removes their ability to identify their own gender, which may be female, male, or a non-binary gender. Such a Youth 2000 is a nationally-representative survey series on the health and wellbeing of secondary school students in New Zealand. Each survey wave has asked about student’s sexual attraction, while Youth’12 was the first to ask whether a student considered themselves to be transgender. 133 Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey (undated) <https://www.youth19.ac.nz/>. 134 Terryann Clark and others “The health and well-being of transgender high school students: Results from the New Zealand adolescent health survey (Youth’12)” (2014) 55 Journal of Adolescent Health p93. 135 Jaimie Veale and others Counting Ourselves: The health and wellbeing of trans and non-binary people in Aotearoa New Zealand (Transgender Health Research Lab, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 2019). 136 Te Kotahi Research Institute, University of Waikato Honour Project Aotearoa (undated) <https://www.waikato.ac.nz/>. The overall aim of Honour Project Aotearoa is to investigate the life experiences of takatāpui to gain insight into understandings of health and wellbeing. It will also investigate issues of access, provision, and appropriateness of the health care services to this specific Māori community. 137 D. McGregor, personal communication to T. Polkinghorne, February 12, 2018. 138 There are more than 40 variations in sex characteristics recognised, presented in a range of different ways that may affect genetic, reproductive, and endocrine systems. See Melanie Blackless and others “How sexually dimorphic are we? Review and synthesis” (2000) 12 American Journal of Human Biology p151. 139 New Zealand’s annual rate of live births is consistently around 60,000. 1.7% of 60,000 is 1,020 babies, providing an estimate of infants born with variations in sex characteristics. See Statistics New Zealand “Births and deaths” (undated) <https://www.stats. govt.nz/>. 140 Statistics New Zealand “Sex statistical standard” (undated) <http://archive.stats.govt.nz/>. 141 Participants of the Third International Intersex Forum Malta Declaration (2013); Joint statement by Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand intersex community organisations and independent advocates Darlington Statement (March 2017). 142 Olaf Hiort “I-03 DSDnet: Formation of an open world-wide network on DSD” (paper presented to Proceedings of the 4th international symposium on disorders of sex development, Glasgow, June 2013) at 13 <http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/ media_279274_en.pdf>. 143 Tiffany Jones “The needs of students with intersex variations” (2016) 16 Sex Education p602. 132 26