Amber raises an interesting point that I dont know how to answer. 'What question would you ask?'
See I believe in the binary but am happy if others dont. I also dont belong to the queer community.
I am a sex change female and so really these days just female. Would tick female, never an 'x' box. I would tick a Transgender box but not a queer box.
I know many Transsexuals who would feel as I do.
We need the information and dont see how anyone should take offense or feel these type of questions to be invasive. They are information gathering that is need and will help the various communities.

Many New Zealanders are more knowledgeable about gender identity than Statistics suggests. Yes, there are ongoing discussions about which terms to use. Discussions about whether New Zealand European or Pakeha is the preferred term has not prevented the Census from asking about ethnicity. Decisions about which terms is a detail that can be resolved. Getting the questions about gender identity and other aspects of diversity are important for decisions on funding and need for relevant health services. Standards New Zealand has developed a Rainbow inclusive workplace standard, and drivers' licenses and passports and some official forms have three (or more) gender options and there is no good reason for the Census not to continue this pattern. In fact, it is even more important for the Census to include this to ensure that Government decisions based on population diversity can start having a statistical rather than anecdotal basis.

My comments in the "sex" discussion would also apply here - I refuse to tick male or female regardless of my biological gender. I might use gendered public bathrooms, but I draw the line at any form that supposedly defines who I am.

I feel like the really important paragraph there, is the one from HRC - its really clearly laid out that insufficient data is limiting and something needs to be done about that, and the census is probably one of the better ways. Because I'm fairly certain that I have never been included in any other survey like that - it seems that data will be missed in a lot of places. And its needed data as the others have said. Also just because no other countries have done this so far doesn't mean that we shouldn't think about it.

Would be interested in more answers to @amberigasia's question about how people would use data on gender identity?

In an attempt to unworry you @rachealmcgonigal, about our statement above “People may confuse or not understand the difference between ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ which are conceptually different, and not interchangeable": as you state "the only people who will be confused by those terms are those who are non gender variant in some way". And these people who are non gender variant in some way are (we presume) a large majority of people. But @kayscarlet is also suggesting that many non gender variant people are aware of the difference between 'sex' and 'gender identity'.

Hi and welcome also to @damianlight @chrose @rowanburnettjones - thanks for your contributions to this great discussion.

Sexual orientation has nothing to do with gender identity - which yes, can be different to biological sex or at least sex assigned at birth. Many people taking part in this thread can probably confirm this, including myself.

@Guy Marriage, this is meant with respect but did you read the first sentence in the header? Gender and sex are basically the same, you are correct but sex and gender identity is totally different. This shows a good example as to why the question is needed to be included as for no other reason it will make people think and help people to understand their are differences between sex/gender and gender identity.
@CH Rose, agreed. Sexual orientation has nothing to do with gender identity. Totally different and unrelated in anyway.

@Lisa, How would the statistics be used?
Well several have commented re dealing with various health institutions and that is an obvious one. I, like many others, have tried to lobby DHB's, MoH and other health agencies but it is hard when there are no statistics to show the numbers affected or the potential numbers. Currently, numbers are merely a pick them out of the air game or use some poor overseas university numbers gathered from a population base that may have some similarites but are different than here in NZ. It is too easy for the institutions here to dismiss them as the numbers here and be told the numbers here cant be that big.
I have no problems with how others identify but it has also become clear to me over the years, that while I use to feel Transsexuals were a minority within a minority, I am no longer sure that is the case. I have now met and found so many Transsexuals who are what many call 'stealth'. They are happy in who/what they are and just living their life in the real world. As bank tellers, checkout operators, lawyers, parts managers and more.They will tick 'F' or 'M' on your statistic form, based on their gender identity. But they too often still have needs non gender variant people dont understand and are not being met. Trying to argue for them is hard when we cant show numbers.
What question do you ask? Well even here is hard and we have seen earlier mentions of the Transgender community and the Queer Community. I know many who will not tick the boxes. I personally will not tick the 'Queer Community' box and even the 'Transgender Community' box isnt really right but I would feel right ticking a 'Transsexual community' box. I think what is needed is not what community we belong to but how we chose to identify. ie, I would tick 'female' and also 'Transsexual'. I know alot the same as I.
Being able to bore down would provide useful and meaningful numbers. In dealing with health dept's I was once told 'Transsexual' is an outdated term and no longer used. Rubbish, as there are many who still use it but it is hard to show the numbers. Alas the Transsexuals are too busy existing, worrying and working for their hormones, surgeries, life and dont wish to stand out so alas it is too often the voices of the young non Transsexual, Transgender or Queer folk who are standing up and speaking up. The Transsexuals are not being heard or represented as their numbers are not seen. Yet they all too often have the greatest needs.
They arent being recognised as there is nothing to show the numbers out there in NZ. We desperately need statistics to show the numbers.
Other ways, beyond health, that the numbers can be used is championing other GVT departments such as education, employment, Police, Corrections and more. Just in being able to show NZ society that the Transgender/Queer communities make up a significant section of NZ. I believe it will be way larger than most assume.
I also think the collection of these figures will also help Internationally and with various UN agencies, to show NZ is taking positive steps to be inclussive to all. Overseas, hopefully it will help show other countries they may well have a sector that is bigger than they realised and therefore they need to be looking at those communities within their own countries. From Australia with its TG/TS/Q communities to the PI countries and their gender variant communities.
I am sure I have merely scratched the surface of the ways the numbers can be used. For now, all we have is to 'assume' and that just means we make an ass out of u and me.

@Guy Marriage, happy to discuss as long as it stays amicable. No disrespect is ever meant from me but I am a driver not a diplomat.
You are correct in that gender and sex are basically the same. As much as we oft hear arguments saying what about chromosomes, who has ever had their chromosomes checked in the world? Sex/gender is basically decided at birth by the Doctor/Midwife who spreads a babies legs and depending upon what they see, will announce 'boy' or 'girl'. That is what decides sex/gender.

But 'gender identity' is totally different. That is how we identify. I have several Transsexual friends who I am jealous of, who are so feminine in appearance, mannerisms, emotionally and yet still have a male appendage between the legs. There is no way I would ever regard them as anything other than female.Their 'gender identity' is female and you would not spot them as anything other than female and yet while it has been made easier in recent years to change, they still have an 'M' on their birth certificate in the 'sex' category. It will cost them to have the mistake corrected.

Gender is totally different than gender identity.

I still choose to identify as 'Transsexual' but many friends have told me that I should drop it as I am no longer Transsexual but just another female. My gender/sex is female, medically and legally but I choose to identify as Transsexual as I try to help those who follow my journey, with their own.

@ Guy Marriage, thanks. I believe in standing up and answering questions. Its only if we allow questions and answer them, that others can understand. Alas too many Trans/Transgender/Queer folk take exception to questions and so too often stymy learning and understanding. Often putting the backs up of those who are trying to understand.

Agreed and understand that we dont want the questions so hard they confuse people but really how hard is a question 'How would you describe your gender identity?' Then with a list of male, female, Transsexual, Queer, Crossdresser, etc and including 'other' and the ability to write it. People also need to be able to tick male or female and another option.
Is that really too hard or confusing? Am sure it would help give the show of numbers, most of us seek.