Dear Ministry of Health / Manatū Hauora,

I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act 1982 regarding the decision to enact the Medicines (Restriction on Prescribing Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Analogues) Amendment Regulations 2025 (Gazette Notice 2025-sl6566).

Specifically, I request the following documents and correspondence generated between 1 June 2025 and 20 November 2025:

Official Advice: All briefing papers, aides-memoire, and formal advice provided to the Minister of Health (Hon Simeon Brown or Hon Dr Shane Reti) or Associate Ministers regarding the classification, safety, or restriction of GnRH analogues (puberty blockers).

The "Gap" Analysis: Any documents discussing the difference between the Ministry’s November 2024 Evidence Brief (which noted "evidence limitations" but did not recommend a ban) and the Cabinet’s decision to implement a ban on new prescriptions.

Consultation: A list of all external stakeholders, organizations, or individuals consulted by the Minister or the Ministry regarding this regulation prior to the Cabinet decision. Specifically, were any non-medical lobby groups (e.g., Family First) consulted?

Regulatory Impact: The Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) or any exemption documents prepared for this regulation.

Legal Risks: Any advice provided regarding the consistency of this regulation with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, specifically Section 19 (Freedom from Discrimination).

I request that this information be provided in electronic format.

If any part of this request is withheld under section 9(2)(f)(iv) (confidential advice to Ministers) or section 9(2)(g)(i) (free and frank expression of opinions), I request that you consider the overwhelming public interest in transparency regarding healthcare access for vulnerable youth, which outweighs the need to withhold.

Yours sincerely,

Ripley Robins