Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/30558-evidence-behind-the-decision-to-replace-language-about-women-and-mothers on November 04, 2025 19:30

Evidence behind the decision to replace language about women and mothers

Jan Rivers made this Official Information request to Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand did not have the information requested.

From: Jan Rivers

Dear Health New Zealand,

I have noted that Health New Zeland is now using non sex-specific terms in relation to women's health. This involves changes from women, woman, pregnant women to terms such as pregnant people, parents, pregnant person and women / person to refer to women in relation to medical care. applies to the website and to the newer papers.

Please can you provide sources created by Te Whatu Ora since interim Health New Zealand organisation was established in September 2021 that provide:

the source of the request to make the change
the evidence base that was considered when making this change (including any benefits and to whom they were anticiapted to accrue.)
the policy paper recommending the changes be made
the minutes of the meeting where the decision was made.

Many thanks

Link to this

From: hnzOIA

Tēnā koe, 

 

Thank you for contacting Health NZ, Te Whatu Ora. This is an automatic
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Ngā mihi

 

Health NZ, Te Whatu Ora.

 
 
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From: hnzOIA

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Kia ora Jan

Thank you for your request for information on 28 March 2025.

 

Please find attached our response to your request. 

 

If you have any questions, you can contact us
at [1][email address].

 

If you are not happy with this response, you have the right to make a
complaint to the Ombudsman. Information about how to do this is available
at [2]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800 802 602.

Ngā mihi

 

Joy

Government Services

[3][email address] 

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora 

 

 

Statement of confidentiality: This email message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use,
disseminate, distribute or copy this message or attachments. If you have
received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and
delete this message

References

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1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
3. mailto:[email address]

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Things to do with this request

Anyone:
Health New Zealand only: