New Zealand is showing resilience against the global rise in transphobic abuse in sport, according to new data released in Areto Labs’ Q2 2025 Hate Speech Index. While transphobia surged to record highs across North America and Europe during April to June, New Zealand’s rates remained comparatively low. However, broader issues of online hate persist particularly homophobia (up 150% QoQ) and racism (decrease 26% QoQ but remains the most prolific form of online abuse in NZ) across major social media platforms.

“The good news is unlike many other countries, New Zealand didn’t see the same sharp spike in transphobic abuse during the second quarter as the rest of the world,” said Jacqueline Comer, Founder and Chief Product Officer of Areto Labs. “That’s encouraging, but it doesn’t mean the environment is safe. Our data shows racism and homophobia remain deeply embedded in sports conversations online in Aotearoa, especially on Facebook.”

Globally, Areto Labs reported:

• A record-setting Transphobia Index score of 733, up 215% quarter-over-quarter and 633% year-over-year
• 90% of all transphobic comments came from Facebook
• After three quarters of decline, abuse targeting women in sport spiked, aligned with WNBA and NWSL season launches
• The overall Areto Hate Speech Index rose 4% quarter-over-quarter to 164, continuing a steady upward trend

Unlike many countries in the Northern Hemisphere, New Zealand and Australia do not celebrate Pride Month in June–a timing difference that likely influenced the country’s lower transphobia rates. In global markets, spikes in transphobic abuse aligned with June Pride campaigns and the lingering discourse from Trans Day of Visibility at the end of Q1.

Comer: “After three straight quarters of decline internationally, abuse targeting women’s sports spiked this quarter, coinciding with the WNBA season kickoff and Pride Month. What we’re seeing in sport reflects the rising emotional temperature of the internet. It’s all connected. We’re all connected”

In terms of incidents of hate speech in New Zealand in Q2 2025, Areto’s data shows:

• Racism was the most common form of identity-based harm
• Homophobia had the largest increase QoQ
• Facebook carried the majority of hate speech

As visibility, fan intensity, and betting activity increase, so does engagement. And with it, abuse. Where attention concentrates, harm tends to follow, while other forms of hate may fade during quieter moments.

About Areto Index

Developed by Edmonton-based Areto Labs, the Areto Hate Speech Index is the first global benchmark for tracking online abuse in sport across Canada, the US, UK, EU, Australia and New Zealand. Updated quarterly, it uses advanced AI models trained on millions of real-world comments to measure identity-based hate in real time—helping sports organizations, leagues and media better understand and combat the evolving landscape of digital harm.

© Scoop Media