Ministry of Health update on puberty blockers
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- 15 hours ago
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Ministry of Health update on puberty blockers
On 4 December we provided an update on the Government’s regulations for puberty blocker prescribing which were announced on 19 November 2025 and published online on the Legislation New Zealand website:
The regulations take effect from tomorrow, 19 December 2025. After this date, new prescriptions for GnRH analogues for the purpose of puberty suppression for children or adolescents with gender incongruence or gender dysphoria are no longer permitted for patients who have not been prescribed a GnRH analogue previously.
Young people already receiving GnRH analogue treatment for gender incongruence or gender dysphoria can continue under their existing care plan with informed consent from both the patient and caregiver.
Update following High Court decision
Today we are providing a further update following the High Court decision on 17 December 2025.
The High Court has made a declaration that the Crown should take no steps to enforce the regulations pending the result of a full judicial review.
However, it’s important to note that the regulations have not been set aside and are in force from tomorrow, 19 December.
The Ministry of Health, as the enforcement agency of the Medicines Act 1981, will abide by the order set out by the Court and will not pursue enforcement of the regulations. This will be upheld until the conclusion of the substantive Judicial Review.
The Ministry will provide a further update following the outcome of the Judicial Review.
Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora🏠133 Molesworth Street, Thorndon |