A transgender woman says she lost her job when she told her employer she was transgender.

Photo: 123rf

Dakota Hemmingson, 23, is taking her case for constructive dismissal to the Employment Relations Authority.

She said she was told to resign when she told her employer, hairdresser Barkers Groom Room in central Auckland, that she would soon start coming to work dressed as a woman.

Barkers Groom Room rejected the claims.

Ms Hemmingson's lawyer, Nathan Santesso, said the experience had deeply hurt and offended his client.

"The trans community is pretty close, and she's gotten a lot of support from them and I think she feels a bit obligated to stick up for other people that might be in her position and fight the fight for them as well."

Mr Santesso said the case was without precedent in New Zealand.