Paul Thistoll

Guest writer

Paul Thistoll is head of Rights Aotearoa – a Wellington-based non-governmental organisation devoted to the promotion and defence of universal human rights for all New Zealanders.

A sign held aloft at a 2023 protest against anti-trans campaigner Posie Parker (Photo: Anna Rawhiti-Connell)

The Law Commission just gave parliament a gift. Will it even be opened?

Opinion: The Ia Tangata report is a calm, evidence-based answer to a raging culture war. Now parliament must turn it into law.

By Paul Thistoll | 9th September, 2025

JK Rowling celebrates the UK judgement, which has appeared to inspire NZ First’s Jenny Marcroft and Winston Peters

NZ First wants to copy the UK in defining ‘woman’. It makes no legal or human sense

In a swift importation of global culture wars, NZ First has introduced a new member's bill.

By Paul Thistoll | 23rd April, 2025

Adding gender to the Human Rights Act – what’s the big deal?

Adding gender to the Human Rights Act – what’s the big deal?

It would simply make the implicit explicit, but it's suddenly controversial.

By Paul Thistoll | 7th May, 2024