Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity: Push and Pull Factors for Transgender Migration to Aotearoa/New Zealand

November 10, 2025

This research draws on data from the 2022 Counting Ourselves survey to examine the push and pull factors influencing transgender migrants to come to Aotearoa New Zealand. Transgender participants who independently chose to migrate were drawn by the country’s reputation for embracing trans identities and offering greater openness around gender. Those from the Global South, recent migrants, and people on temporary visas were more likely to migrate to Aotearoa due to escalating threats in their home countries. A media report on the study can be found on Stuff