133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
3 July 2023
Jan Rivers
By email: [FYI request #23023 email]
Ref:
H2023026636
Tēnā koe Jan
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to Manatū Hauora
(the Ministry of Health) on 6 June 2023 for information regarding puberty blockers. You
requested:
“Please can you supply all information about puberty blocking medication for children that
was provided to NZME or the NZ Herald or people employed or contracted by those
organisations and the Ministry between Monday 29 and Wednesday 31 May 2023
including any communications within the Ministry about how to respond to the questions
asked.
I would like to know the questions asked and the responses provided by trh Ministry.
I am interested in the emails, personal meetings or telephone conversations and records
made into tracking systems that relate to this topic.”
Manatū Hauora did not provide any information to NZME or NZ Herald on or between Monday
29 and Wednesday 31 May 2023. As such, I am unable to provide you with any information in
scope of your request under section 18(e) of the Act.
You may be interested to know that on 26 May 2023 Manatū Hauora sent information to the NZ
Herald regarding puberty blockers in response to a request for comment on clinical advice or
guidance on puberty blockers. This information is being released to you pursuant to section 13
of the Act. I have withheld a small amount of information under section 9(2)(a) to protect the
privacy of individuals. In doing so, I have considered the countervailing public interest in its
release and consider that it does not outweigh the need to withhold at this time.
I trust this information fulfils your request. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with
us, including this decision, please feel free to contact the OIA Services Team on:
[email address].
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Manatū Hauora website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-
official-information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Elisabeth Brunt
Group Manager, Government Services
Government and Executive Services | Te Pou Whakatere Kāwanatanga
Page 2 of 3
Appendix 1: List of documents for release
#
Date
Document details
Decision on release
1
26 May 2023
Email Correspondence: Re:
Some information withheld
Advice on puberty blockers
under section 9(2)(a) of the
Act, to protect the privacy of
natural persons.
Page 3 of 3
