Summarised by Centrist
Rex Landy, an outspoken Māori women’s rights advocate and member of Mana Wāhine Kōrero, is facing court action under the Harmful Digital Communications Act after being reported to police by a trans advocate over her social media posts.
Landy was arrested in December 2024 after a series of interactions with police that appear to have followed a complaint made by New Zealand writer Caitlin Spice. Police later cited non-compliance with a court order in relation to the arrest.
Police first contacted Landy in 2022 and later issued a written warning. “They told me I had to stop saying what I was saying…
The very next day I received a written warning in the post threatening that they had enough to charge me under the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015.”
In September 2024, Landy was ordered by the court to delete all posts referencing Johnston. She says she deleted everything but claims she missed two posts.
On 18 December, she said police raided her home, seized devices, and charged her with failing to obey a court order.
She was given another charge after Johnston claimed she had indirectly referenced him in a livestream. Prosecutors have ruled out diversion, telling the court she was “in the grip of an ideology,” meaning they view her stance as rigid and unchangeable rather than a one-off lapse, and therefore undeserving of leniency. Landy reportedly faces up to three months in jail or a $50,000 fine.
“Win, lose, or draw – he’ll never be a woman. I’ve already won. I’m a woman, he isn’t,” Landy said.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on 23 October 2025 to clarify that the police complaint was made under the name of New Zealand writer Caitlin Spice, and that police cited non-compliance with a court order in relation to the arrest of Rexene Landy.
Image: Facebook
