New Zealand could soon follow in Argentina's footsteps by making it easier for transgender and transsexual people to change their gender on their passports.



But some in the trans community say gender shouldn't even appear on passports, which is something the United Kingdom's Home Office is looking into.



Instead of F or M under "gender", they argue that it should instead be left blank.



The New Zealand Passport Office is looking at changing its policy, which dictates that transsexuals and transgender people can have an X instead of an F or M on a passport.



The gender can also be changed following a Family Court declaration, which allows a birth certificate to be altered. A declaration is only made if the person has medical evidence showing that they are in transition from one gender to another, such as undergoing hormone replacement therapy, or have had gender reassignment surgery.



But from September, those in the trans community might be able to change their gender on their passport without the declaration or medical evidence, something only Argentina has allowed its citizens to do.



The move would only relate to passports and was only in its consultation phase, a Department of Internal Affairs spokesman said.



Agendernz president Cherise Whitehira said the move would make it easier for trans people to travel internationally without being discriminated against.



The department decided to look into its policy after it was approached by the trans community. It is consulting with the Human Rights Commission, which supports the proposed change, and is hoping to implement the new flexible policy in September.



The office was not looking into completely removing gender from passports, but Whitehira said it should.

"Border control are not gender police, " she said.



Racheal McGonigal was able to change her gender on her passport after receiving a Family Court declaration, following gender reassignment surgery in 2006.

The Aucklander, 56, supported the move, but also said that modern security technology at airports should be sufficient enough to make gender irrelevant.