133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
18 December 2025
Riley Robins
By email: [FYI request #32964 email]
Ref:
H2025075977
Tēnā koe Ripley
Response to 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 21 November 2025 for information regarding puberty
blockers. Please find a response to each part of your request below.
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).
On 27 November 2025, this part of your request was transferred to the office of the Minister of
Health, Hon Simeon Brown under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act. You can expect a response from
their office in due course under reference SBOIA25-976. The Minister’s office can be contacted
via
[email address].
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.
The Ministry did not undertake a gap analysis, and it would not be standard practice to do so.
The Ministry’s Evidence Brief and Addendum summarises the latest national and international
evidence of the safety and long-term impacts of puberty blockers on adolescents.This evidence
was made available to the public, and also informed our advice to Ministers on this issue.
Therefore, this part of your request is refused under section 18(e) of the Act, as no documents
exist.
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?
The Ministry reached out to and held consultation meetings with the following organisations:
• The Gender Identity Services External Advisory Group on 26 November 2024.
• A group of organisations representing the rainbow and transgender support sector. On
27 November 2024, the Ministry held a group meeting with representatives from:
InsideOUT, NZ Parents and Guardians of Transgender and Gender Diverse Children
(NZPOTC), OUTLine NZ, Qtopia, Rainbow Support Collective, RainbowYOUTH, and Te
Ngākau Kahukura. Follow-up meetings were held with Gender Minorities on 11
December 2024, and NZPOTC on 15 January 2025.
• Health New Zealand on 04 December 2024.
• The Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) on 05
December 2024.
• Regulatory Authorities: Medical Council, Psychologists Board, and Psychotherapists
Board on 09 December 2024. (Pharmacy Council and Nursing Council also invited)
• Medical and nursing colleges: Council of Medical Colleges, Royal New Zealand Col ege
of General Practitioners (RNZCGP), Royal Australian and New Zealand College of
Psychiatrists (RANZCP), Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians
and Gynaecologists, New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine, Royal College of
Pathologists of Australasia, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Royal Australasian
College of Medical Administrators, and College of Nurses Aotearoa on 10 December
2024. (New Zealand College of Sexual and Reproductive Health also invited)
• Professional Societies: Paediatric Society of New Zealand, Pharmaceutical Society of
New Zealand, and New Zealand Society of Endocrinology on 10 December 2024. (New
Zealand Psychological Society also invited)
• The Children and Young People’s Commission – Mana Mokopuna, the Health and
Disability Commission, and the Human Rights Commission on 12 December.
• The Pharmaceutical Management Agency (Pharmac) and Medsafe on 12 December.
• The Royal Australasian College of Physicians on 9 January.
The Ministry also met with the fol owing organisations that requested a meeting on the
consultation topic:
• Genspect on 13 January 2025
• Family First on 22 January 2025
Regulatory Impact: The Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) or any exemption documents
prepared for this regulation.
Section 18(d) of the Act applies to your request on the basis that the Regulatory Impact
Statement will soon be publicly available on the Ministry’s website. The Ministry acknowledges
the significant public interest in this matter and in response, we are preparing a proactive
release of key documents relating to puberty blockers, including the consultation report, to
ensure transparency and to make relevant information readily available to the public. This
release is being carefully compiled to provide context, clarity, and completeness.
This information wil be made available in due course via
www.health.govt.nz/information-
releases. Please note that some information may be withheld under section 9 of the Act. I have
considered the countervailing public interest in releasing information and consider that it does
not outweigh the need to withhold at this time.
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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).
Information in response to this part of your request is withheld in full under section 9(2)(h) of the
Act, to maintain legal professional privilege. The release of legal advice received would
compromise the Ministry's ability to obtain confidential legal advice and prejudice the
government’s position in relation to current or future legal matters. I have considered
countervailing public interest in releasing information and consider that it does not outweigh the
need to withhold at this time.
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 cal ing 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-official-
information-act-requests. Nāku noa, nā
Steve Barnes
Associate Deputy Director-General Strategy and Policy | Te Pou Rautaki
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