133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
27 November 2025
Ripley Robins
By email: [FYI request #32964 email]
Ref:
H2025075977
Tēnā koe Ripley
Partial transfer of your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health - Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 23 November 2025. You requested:
“Official Advice: Al 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 Bil of Rights Act 1990, specifically Section 19 (Freedom from
Discrimination).”
Information relating to the first part of your request is more closely connected with the functions
of the office of the Minister of Health, Hon Simeon Brown. Specifical y:
“Official Advice: Al 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).
For this reason, the Ministry is transferring this part of your request to the Minister’s office under
section 14(b)(i ) of the Act. You can expect a response from their office in due course. Should
you wish to follow up, the Minister’s office can be contacted via
[email address].
The Ministry wil respond to the remainder of your request in due course.
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.
Nāku noa, na
Jan Torres
Manager, OIA Services
Corporate Services | Te Pou Tiaki
Page 2 of 3
COPY OF OIA REQUEST
From: Ripley Robins <[FYI request #32964 email]>
Sent on: Saturday, November 22, 2025 8:26:24 PM
To: OIA/LGOIMA requests at Ministry of Health <[Ministry of Health request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - OIA Request: Advice and decision-making process
regarding Medicines (Restriction on Prescribing GnRH Analogues) Amendment Regulations
2025
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: Al 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 Bil 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
Page 3 of 3
