Changes

Mitchell was born and raised in the central North Island on a sheep and cattle farm and educated at Taupo-nui-a-Tia College and the {{UNI|University of Waikato|UOW}}. Identified as a "hermaphrodite" at birth, Mitchell underwent "non-consensual genital 'feminising' surgeries" as a child, and is also a survivor of sexual abuse.<ref name="stuff2021"/>

Since 1996, Mitchell has been actively involved in education on [[intersex ]] and gender variance issues, lecturing at universities and running workshops around the world, and was also involved in the production of several TV documentaries, a film, and a photography book. Mitchell is a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors, World Professional Association for Transgender Health and the International Transactional Analysis Association.

Mitchell has also narrated the documentary ''Intersexion'' (2012), directed by Grant Lahood, which features the story of Mani Mitchell and many other individuals, and looks at how [[intersex ]] people navigate their way through life.<ref>{{REFweb

}}</ref> and participated in a meeting of [[New Zealand ]] and Australian [[Australia]]n [[intersex ]] organizations in Darlington, Sydney, [[Australia]], leading to publication of the Darlington Statement policy platform.<ref name="dpmc2021"/>

In 2021, Mitchell spoke of amazement at seeing "[[intersex ]] people 'moving out of that shame and secrecy and into a playful, joyful place' over the years".<ref name="stuff2021"/>

}}</ref> Mitchell is thought to be one of the first intersex non-binary [[New Zealanders Zealand]]ers to receive the award.<ref name="stuff2021"/>