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“It's all going through as planned, just taking longer for them to sort out the info for their website etc,” says Jack Byrne from the Human Rights Commission, which has been facilitating community feedback on the issue.

“It's important to have the info available to make sure it runs smoothly no matter what Passports office you go to in New Zealand,” he explains.

The new policy will mean applicants who provide a witnessed Statutory Declaration with their passport application, outlining their circumstances, can advise the gender identity they wish to be displayed in their passport.

It would also allow intersex people to choose whether they want to have M, F or X on their passport.

Byrne says any trans or intersex people who need a new passport with their new sex on it urgently can email Julie Watson at the Human Rights Commission (juliew@hrc.co.nz), who can put them in touch with the Internal Affairs staff member dealing with urgent requests.