UoA SEEN is a staff network dedicated to advancing and supporting equality and equity for both women and men in the workplace. We wish to see all employees and students succeed. The purpose of this network is address sex-based discrimination and to uphold legal rights related to sex, including protections for those with the legally protected characteristics of sex, pregnancy and childbirth, and sexual orientation, as defined by Section 21 of the Human Rights Act 1993 (NZGov. 1993). We acknowledge that achieving sex equality may sometimes involve treating women and men differently, in recognition of their distinct legal rights and needs.
A comprehensive description of sex, sexes and the universal properties of sexual reproduction can be found in Wright (2025):
Sexual reproduction is the formation of a new organism by the fusion of haploid gametes (syngamy) produced via meiosis. … At the gametic level, sexual reproduction occurs in two broad modes that differ in the size of gametes being fused. In isogamy, fusion involves gametes of equal size. In anisogamy, fusion involves differently sized gametes. Anisogamy is thought to have evolved over one billion years ago from isogamous ancestors via disruptive selection favoring two distinct gamete types: small, typically motile gametes optimized for quantity and encounter rate (sperm) and large, nutrient-rich gametes optimised for provisioning (ova). Working in concert, these divergent strategies maximize fertilization success and offspring survival.
The sexes—male and female—refer to these two distinct reproductive strategies in anisogamous species. Males are defined as the sex that produces numerous small gametes (sperm). Females, conversely, are defined as the sex that yields fewer but larger gametes (ova). Accordingly, individuals are categorized as male or female based on whether their reproductive system has the biological function to produce sperm or ova, respectively. Because sperm and ova are the only two gamete classes in anisogamous systems, there are only two sexes. This gametic dimorphism underlies biologists’ reference to sex as a “binary”.
Sex in mammals, such as humans, is immutable. No human has ever been documented producing functional gametes of both types, let alone switching from one functional phenotype to the other. Sex plays a significant role in shaping the rights and experiences of both women and men, including in work environments. It is important that biological sex is not confused with, conflated with, or replaced by, other concepts, such as gender or gender identity.
Workplaces are legally required to balance the rights of individuals with different characteristics and beliefs protected under the Human Rights Act 1993 (NZGov. 1993). We are dedicated to supporting this balance by respecting all colleagues’ rights to hold beliefs, including those regarding gender identity, as well as the absence of belief in gender identity, or in the relevance of binary sex. Both belief and lack of belief are protected under the law. Clear definitions of protected characteristics and beliefs are essential to ensure that everyone’s rights are understood, safeguarded, and fairly balanced where needed.
Our goal is for all staff to feel secure in exercising their human rights under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (NZGov. 1990). This includes freedom of thought, conscience, religion, expression, and peaceful assembly, so long as these freedoms are exercised lawfully and civilly. We promote open, respectful discussion and the inclusion of diverse viewpoints, encouraging mutual respect among people with differing perspectives and experiences. Additionally, SEEN serves as a resource for staff and students on the protected characteristics of sex, pregnancy and maternity, and sexual orientation, emphasizing the importance of considering these factors to ensure all staff rights and needs are properly met.
SEEN relies on evidence-based approaches and is not affiliated with any outside organizations. We are committed to upholding the civic principles of secularism, pluralism and the universal human rights of all people. We note that it is unacceptable to accuse others of hatred, bigotry or abuse simply for disagreeing with their metaphysical beliefs.
Doctor Chris Pook (Chair), Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart, Professor Dame Elizabeth Rata, Doctor Nick Matzke
References Cited
Wright, C.M. Why There Are Exactly Two Sexes. Archives of Sexual Behavior 54, 3941–3945 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03348-3
NZGov. 1990. New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. New Zealand Government, New Zealand.
NZGov. 1993. Human Rights Act 1993. New Zealand Government, New Zealand.
Join Us
If you share our aims, we invite you to join us. We will use this platform to share news, resources, commentary, and updates about the network’s activities. Membership is confidential. We do not publish member lists. You may join, participate, and contribute as you wish.
If you would like to get more involved, or if you have experienced difficulties at the University of Auckland related to your sex-based rights to safety, privacy and a freedom from discrimination, please feel free to contact us. We will not share your name or the details of your concerns without your express permission.
SEEN_UoA@auckland.ac.nz
UoA SEEN is an independent network of staff and students at the University of Auckland. It is not a registered affiliate or formally recognised staff network of the University of Auckland, and the content of this website does not represent the University’s position on any matter.
