This member's bill amends the Crimes Act 1961 to create new offences criminalising virginity testing — the inspection of female genitalia to ascertain a history of vaginal intercourse — and the related practice of hymenoplasty. Its stated aim is to protect women and girls from a practice it describes as unscientific and a form of honour-based abuse. It passed its first reading on the voices on 22 July 2026.
A member's bill that would make it a crime to perform 'virginity testing' — inspecting a female's genitalia to try to determine whether she has had vaginal intercourse — and the related surgery known as hymenoplasty, which reconstructs the hymen. The World Health Organisation and others say virginity testing has no scientific basis. The bill's stated aim is to protect women and girls from what it describes as a harmful, coercive practice.
In the name of Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan, it follows 2025 research indicating the practice occurs in New Zealand; the UK banned virginity testing in 2022. Supporters across parties back it as a protection for women and girls. NZ First's Casey Costello has urged care that the law not disparage women who value virginity for religious reasons, noting adult women can still consult doctors.
See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.