'Disgusted' trans customer slowing Farmers' investigation

Mary Haddock-Staniland hasn't spoken to Farmers about her 'offensive encounter'. Here she is with Jo Holley. Photo / Norrie Montgomery

The transgender woman who claims she was called "half-man, half-woman" by a Farmers shop assistant is yet to speak to the department store about the incident.

Mary Haddock-Staniland was in the female changing room at the Botany branch of Farmers on Monday when she alleges she overheard a shop assistant ask colleagues if it was okay to let "half-man, half-woman" in.

Yesterday, Farmers corporate relations manager Nikki Newton-Cross said the company had begun an internal investigation, which was not able to be completed, as they had not yet spoken to Mrs Haddock-Staniland.

"We would like to reiterate that everyone is welcome as a customer at Farmers stores," Ms Newton-Cross said.

Mrs Haddock-Staniland is currently on holiday in Samoa, but her publicist Miranda Likeman told the Herald she planned to speak to Farmers upon her return to New Zealand.

"I have contacted them as directed and indicated that Mary is happy to talk to them in person when she returns from Samoa," Ms Likeman said.

"As her publicist, I haven't been approached by Farmers directly, but they responded to the situation in the best possible way.

"Mary's ideal outcome from this is that she and Farmers work together to ensure this sort of thing doesn't happen again."

Ms Newton-Cross said staff across all farmers stores had been reminded of their obligations to customers.

"We endeavour to ensure all customers feel comfortable when they are trying anything on in whichever fitting room they choose to use. We pride ourselves on giving a great level of service to everyone," she said.

Mrs Haddock-Staniland alleged that she was in the Farmers store on Sunday to buy shorts for her holiday, when she was ridiculed by the staff member, whom she said was rude, laughed at her and repeated her slurs to other customers.

"The way she singled me out made me feel as if I shouldn't be there ... I'm disgusted," she said.

Earlier this week, Human Rights Commissioner Richard Tankersley praised Mrs Haddock-Staniland for going public.

He said what happened to her was not new, but rather highlighted the "bullying and hate" that transgender New Zealanders faced often.