Laurel Hubbard representing New Zealand at the Australian International event in Melbourne.

Transgender Kiwi weightlifter Laurel Hubbard's first win in an international competition has ruffled feathers across the Tasman.

Hubbard was competing at the Australian International event in Melbourne on Sunday and shot out to an early lead in the women's over 90kg division.

READ MORE: Laurel Hubbard named in NZ team

The 39-year-old lifted 123kg in the snatch discipline, and then produced a clean-and-jerk lift of 145kg for a 268kg total - 19kg better than the second-placed competitor.

Hubbard was congratulated by her competitors after the ceremony.

However, afterwards, bronze medallist Kaitlyn Fassina was less effusive.

"She is who she is. That's the way the politics...and what the New Zealanders have decided. I can't say much more than that. She is seen as female and that's the way it is."

Two-time Olympian Deborah Acason went further.

"If I was in that category I wouldn't feel like I was in an equal situation. I just feel that if it's not even why are we doing the sport?"

Weightlifting New Zealand's Emma Pilkington said Hubbard was feeling "overwhelmed".

"She's so genuine, she loves all her team-mates and her teammates are all really supportive."

That result will give Hubbard a major claim for selection for the NZ weightlifting team for next year's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia.

It's understood Hubbard, who once competed at national level as Gavin Hubbard, transitioned in her mid-30s.