RNZ Under Scrutiny Over Article on Trans Teen’s Tragic Passing

An article published by RNZ’s Ruth Hill on 12 July 2025 has drawn significant media attention and controversy over its repeated misgendering and deadnaming of a deceased transgender man. The story has also been criticised for presenting a one-sided narrative centred on the perspectives of his parents, who did not accept his transgender identity.

The article recounts the tragic death of Alex, a 17-year-old transgender man (whom RNZ named as 'Vanessa/V'), who died from starvation in emergency accommodation after years of struggling with anorexia, trauma, and mental health challenges.

You can access the original web archive version here in case of modification. 

Any death of a young person in government care is worth reporting on, which RNZ acknowledged in response to Craccum. However, the article’s emphasis on Alex’s transgender identity, and its framing in relation to mental illness, has prompted criticism and raised questions about the editorial choices made.

"It is pretty horrifying to see that a trans man's identity is blatantly ignored and disrespected throughout, despite several mentions of who he really is", says Artie Ho, AUSA Queer Rights Officer.

Throughout the article, Alex’s transgender identity is ambiguously communicated and at times framed as a symptom of his mental illness. One psychiatrist quoted by RNZ recommended “not affirming Vanessa's transgender identity,” describing it as a “mask” for Alex’s anorexia.

This inclusion from the national broadcaster has drawn concern — not only is it ethically questionable for a psychiatrist to deny someone’s gender identity, but it also contradicts the nationally recognised guidelines set by the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA), which state:

“Recognise that each individual is the expert of their own gender identity and that their unique journey needs to be acknowledged (respect self-determination).”

Whether intentional or not, the framing in the article risks spreading misinformation by presenting a narrative that conflicts with established medical guidelines and the lived experiences of many trans individuals.

Subsequently, a formal complaint has been filed to RNZ by Paul Thistoll, CEO of Rights Aotearoa.

In a letter to RNZ's CEO, Paul Thompson, and Chief News Officer, Mark Stevens, Paul Thistoll questioned RNZ's editorial direction and demanded an amendment and apology.

Right's Aotearoa just complained to RNZ over the disgusting erasure of a young person's preferred identity in an article today. CISGENDER PEOPLE DON'T GET TO DEFINE TRANSPEOPLE IN LIFE OR DEATH. You can read at the link below, or screenshot attached: www.rightsaotearoa.nz/formal-compl...

[image or embed]

— Rights Aotearoa (@rightsaotearoa.bsky.social) June 12, 2025 at 1:24 PM

Despite RNZ’s editorial disclaimer stating:

"Under RNZ's Rainbow Communities Reporting and Content Guidelines, we use the name and pronouns that people tell us they use. As this story deals with a deceased person, they are not able to communicate their wishes, and RNZ has opted to identify them variously as V and Vanessa, according to the differing perspectives of the people who knew them."

The article appears to contradict this approach towards its conclusion, where Alex’s parents stated that police asked them to use Alex’s male name and pronouns, reflecting Alex's documented or affirmed identity while he was alive, which might not have been fully acknowledged in the piece.

After no action was taken, Thistoll then called for the removal of the article and stated that the piece was "orchestrated" by the anti-trans activist Fern Hickson of Resist Gender Education in a follow-up email.

Several other media outlets have since engaged with RNZ’s article and its surrounding criticism.

"It is normal to be trans"

"The RNZ article reporting on the events surrounding V’s death reproduces several harmful messages about trans young people."

– Julia de Bres & John Fenaughty, The Spinoff

And yet the article includes their birth name throughout “at the parents’ request” and uses she/her pronouns. Why? “As this story deals with a deceased person, they are not able to communicate their wishes.”

– Madeleine Chapman, The Spinoff

A recent article published on 16 June 2025 by David Farrier on Webworm revealed the deceased transgender teen’s preferred name as Alex, with 6,000 retrieved messages that directly counter RNZ’s story.

The article also raises concerns about speculation surrounding the cause of Alex’s death, given that the coroner’s official report has yet to be released.

“In his own words, Alex only wanted to be accepted for who he is. Even in death, Ruth Hill & RNZ refused to afford him that dignity,” AUSA’s Queer Rights Officer further comments. “Alex deserved what all trans people deserve – compassion, respect, understanding, support. It sounds simple, but his tragic death and the reporting surrounding it have shown just how urgently care for our trans community is needed.”

RNZ's Response

In response to Craccum’s questions, RNZ’s Chief News Officer Mark Stevens stated that the broadcaster believed there was “strong public interest in telling the story of a young person who tragically starved to death in emergency accommodation and questioning how this was able to occur in New Zealand.”

He explained that RNZ referred to the teen by different names and pronouns “according to the request of the parents,” who believed their child identified as female at the time of death. Citing RNZ’s Rainbow Communities Reporting and Content Guidelines, Stevens said:

“As this story deals with a deceased person, they are not able to communicate their wishes, and RNZ opted to identify them, according to the differing perspectives of the people who knew them.”

When asked whether any consultation had been undertaken with trans health experts or advocacy groups such as PATHA, Stevens responded:

“RNZ won’t be commenting on who it may have spoken to as part of the news gathering for this story, beyond those who have been quoted. This is normal journalistic practice.”

He also declined to comment on how editorial decisions were made around which voices to centre. However, Stevens stated:

“The teen had identified, most recently, differently to different people. If there’s any evidence that contradicts that, RNZ would of course update the story.”

Stevens acknowledged recent reporting that the teen's messages had been retrieved, "which paint a different picture about how they identified", but added:

“We don’t have those messages, so are unable to verify them, despite asking for them. RNZ remains very open to considering any new information and making changes to the story should that information be confirmed.”

Stevens confirmed that formal complaints had been received and would be handled through RNZ’s standard editorial process, with no internal review currently underway.

Craccum is eager to continue monitoring this story as it develops and will provide updates as new information and perspectives come to light.

Support and Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, gender identity, or eating disorders, you are not alone. Here are some organisations and helplines that offer support in Aotearoa New Zealand:

• OUTLine NZ
  A nationwide support service offering phone and online support for LGBTQIA+ people.
  Helpline: 0800 688 5463
  Website: outline.org.nz
• Gender Minorities Aotearoa
  Provides advocacy, support, and education for transgender and non-binary people.
  Website: genderminorities.com
• Youthline
  Support for young people with free phone, text, and online chat.
  Helpline: 0800 376 633
  Website: youthline.co.nz
• Eating Disorders Aotearoa
  Support and information for those affected by eating disorders.
  Helpline: 0800 334 637
  Website: eatingdisorders.org.nz
• Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
  Provides information and resources for mental wellbeing.
  Website: mentalhealth.org.nz

If you’re in immediate crisis, please call 111 or go to your nearest hospital. Remember, support is always available.