Resources for New Zealanders
Hormone Replacement Therapy
In New Zealand, the government subsidises prescriptions so for most medicines you will only pay $15 for a three month supply of each - less if you're on a low income. Most types of hormones and hormone supressants are available in NZ, with one major exception.
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Surgery
There is only one surgical team in New Zealand that I know of which currently performs GRS. It is lead by Peter Walker, who operates from Christchurch and carries out the surgery for women with the aid of a urologist and a colorectal surgeon.
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Changing Your Legal Name
Changing your name is very simple. All you need to do is fill out a
simple statutory declaration form from the Births, Deaths, and Marriages office, sign in front
of the clerk, and pay a fee ($92 a few years ago).
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Correcting Your Legal Sex Designation
After undergoing GRS, it is possible to get your Birth Certificate ammended to reflect your actual gender. Previous names will also be omitted from the certificate. It takes a little while, but it is not an unduly complicated process, and does not require the assistance of a lawyer.
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Correcting Other Records
There are several issues to consider in correcting records. Where possible, it may be better to just close your old accounts completely and open new ones under your new name.
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External Links
- Trans-NZ - an excellent site which contains much of interest for people with Benjamin's Syndrome, including the relevant portions of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Act, and a discussion forum.
- Ongoing Network Transgendered Outreach Project - A Benjamin's Syndrome site from the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective.
- Gender and Disability - a personal site.